Tesla product has Cd'A connection

The newest Tesla product sold out in three hours and was made in Coeur d’Alene.

If you spent any time online last week, it was hard to miss the videos. A humanoid robot playing pickleball.

Yes, really.

Tesla recently launched a new pickleball paddle in partnership with Selkirk Sport, a North Idaho company headquartered in Coeur d’Alene. To mark the release, Tesla shared footage of its Optimus humanoid robot swinging the paddle, instantly capturing attention.

When the $350 Tesla Plaid Pickleball Paddle went live, it sold out in under three hours. Shortly after, paddles began appearing on resale platforms for more than $700. The internet focused on the surprise. A lifestyle product from a car and robotics company. A premium price. A rapid sellout.

But the more important story is who Tesla chose to build it with.

The paddle was co-developed with Selkirk Sport, a high-performance pickleball equipment company built in Coeur d’Alene. What began as a family-led business grew by treating paddles as engineered products rather than accessories. Performance, materials and consistency mattered more than speed to market.

As Selkirk expanded, the company invested heavily in advanced manufacturing, process control and in-house research and development. Its focus on repeatability, quality assurance and disciplined iteration reflects a modern manufacturing mindset that blends automation with skilled technicians.

That philosophy aligned naturally with Tesla’s own approach to product development.

According to Tesla, the paddle was “co-created from the ground up through relentless testing and ideation,” with every curve and internal layer engineered for high-performance play. Design elements include an edgeless profile, integrated internal weights and an open-throat face intended to reduce drag and improve swing efficiency.

The collaboration began with a conversation between Selkirk co-owner and Director of Research and Development Tom Barnes and Tesla Director of Product Design Javier Verdura. Months of joint development followed, focused on materials, geometry and performance. This was not a licensing deal. It was a true co-design effort.

Tesla later amplified the launch by sharing video of Optimus, its humanoid robot, using the paddle. The moment placed the product inside Tesla’s broader narrative around precision, motion and engineered performance, and underscored the trust placed in Selkirk as a manufacturing partner.

Market response reinforced that trust. The initial run sold out quickly, and resale prices climbed well above retail. While scarcity played a role, the demand reflected confidence in the product and the collaboration behind it.

For Coeur d’Alene, this is a moment worth noticing. A local company partnered with one of the world’s most recognizable technology brands by staying focused on quality, discipline and long-term capability.

This is what modern success looks like. Local roots. Advanced manufacturing. Global relevance. 

If you’d like help building a product or company, come to the build_ events in downtown Coeur d’Alene where you can meet ai, robotics and marketing experts. In 2025 we hosted over 85 entrepreneurship gatherings and classes. 

To learn more go to buildcities.com.

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Nick Smoot is CEO of the Innovation Collective.