Elon Musk said on March 11, 2026 that Tesla and his AI startup xAI are launching a joint project called “Macrohard,” also dubbed “Digital Optimus,” to build a computer‑using AI agent—an ambition that would push Tesla further into software‑platform territory if it materializes.
Reuters, CNBC, and Electrek reported that the system pairs xAI’s Grok large language model as a high‑level navigator with a Tesla‑developed agent that processes real‑time computer‑screen video plus keyboard and mouse actions to operate software.
In an X post cited by multiple outlets, Musk said the project is meant to emulate the functions of entire software companies, and he framed the “Macrohard” name as a tongue‑in‑cheek nod to Microsoft—language that signals how aggressive the automation pitch is.
Musk also said the system would run on Tesla’s AI4 chip alongside xAI’s Nvidia‑based server hardware, implying a hybrid stack that spans edge and data‑center compute; the real test will be whether that stack can deliver reliable, end‑to‑end computer‑use automation.
Related: AI Signals coverage.
