According to Cointelegraph, Tesla's recent 'We, Robot' event in Hollywood, California, failed to impress, leading to an almost 8% drop in the company's stock. In contrast, rival Uber saw a nearly 9% increase. The event focused on autonomous vehicles and the 'Optimus' humanoid robot, unveiling two new prototypes: 'Cybercab' and 'Cybervan.' These vehicles, designed without steering wheels or human control mechanisms, were showcased without any significant advancements in autonomous driving technology.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk reiterated his long-standing claims about the safety and economic benefits of fully autonomous vehicles but did not provide any new evidence or progress towards achieving machine autonomy. The Cybercab, expected to cost less than $30,000, is slated for launch within the next two years. Musk positioned it as a safer transportation option that could alleviate traffic congestion and save lives, while also enabling owners to participate in a future autonomous ride-sharing economy. The Cybervan, capable of carrying up to 20 passengers, was also introduced, though no launch date was provided.
Musk announced that fully autonomous driving would be available for current Tesla owners with the Full Self Driving software package by 2025, but only in Texas and California. Both states already permit autonomous vehicle testing in specific areas, but it remains unclear if Tesla has received additional permissions for statewide operations or if it is joining existing pilot programs.
The event's highlight was the Optimus humanoid robot, with several units interacting with attendees through games and conversations. Despite the impressive demonstrations, Tesla did not showcase any significant advancements in robotics, autonomous vehicles, or artificial intelligence. The AI industry has seen similar capabilities in robots like Hanson Robotics' 'Sophia' and Boston Dynamics' Atlas and Spot robots.
Musk envisioned a future where Optimus would serve as a versatile assistant, capable of tasks ranging from teaching and babysitting to walking dogs and mowing lawns. However, Tesla provided no details on the timeline or feasibility of achieving this vision, nor did it address the regulatory and safety challenges associated with producing such an autonomous consumer robotics device.
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