Tesla’s recent “We, Robot” event in Hollywood, California, was not impressive, sending the company’s shares down by about 8%, according to Cointelegraph. In contrast, rival Uber saw a rise of about 9%. The event focused on self-driving vehicles and its humanoid robot “Optimus,” and unveiled two new prototypes: the “Cybercab” and “Cybervan.” These vehicles, designed without steering wheels or human controls, were shown without any major advances in self-driving technology.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk reiterated his longstanding claims about the safety and economic benefits of fully self-driving cars, but offered no new evidence or progress toward achieving machine autonomy. The Cybercab, which is expected to cost less than $30,000, is set to launch within the next two years. Musk has positioned it as a safer transportation option that could ease traffic congestion and save lives, while also enabling owners to participate in the future autonomous ride-sharing economy. The Cybervan, capable of carrying up to 20 passengers, was also introduced, though no launch date has been set.
Musk has announced that Full Self-Driving will be available to current Tesla owners through the Full Self-Driving software package by 2025, but only in Texas and California. Both states already allow self-driving vehicle testing in designated areas, but it remains unclear whether Tesla has received additional statewide permissions or will join existing pilot programs.
The highlight of the event was the Optimus humanoid robot, with several units engaging with attendees through games and conversations. Despite the impressive displays, Tesla didn’t show any major advances in robotics, self-driving vehicles, or artificial intelligence. The AI industry has seen similar capabilities in robots like Hanson Robotics’ Sophia and Boston Dynamics’ Atlas and Spot.
Musk envisioned a future where Optimus would serve as a versatile assistant, capable of performing tasks ranging from teaching and childcare to walking dogs and mowing lawns. However, Tesla offered no details on the timeline or feasibility of realizing this vision, nor did it address the regulatory and safety challenges associated with producing such an autonomous consumer robot.
