Tesla's recent 'We, Robot' event in Hollywood, California, left investors wanting more, resulting in an almost 8% drop in the company's stock price. In stark contrast, competitor Uber experienced a nearly 9% increase in its stock value. The event primarily revolved around the advancement of autonomous vehicles and showcased the much-anticipated 'Optimus' humanoid robot.
Tesla unveiled two new prototypes during the event: the 'Cybercab' and 'Cybervan.' These futuristic vehicles are designed without traditional steering wheels or human control mechanisms, yet they were presented with no significant advancements in the realm of autonomous driving technology. During the event, Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk, reiterated his long-standing assertions regarding the safety and economic advantages of fully autonomous vehicles.
However, he failed to provide any new evidence or demonstrable progress towards achieving full machine autonomy. The Cybercab, which is expected to hit the market for under $30,000, is poised for launch within the next couple of years. Musk emphasized its potential to serve as a safer transportation alternative that might alleviate traffic congestion and save lives.
The vehicle is also designed to allow owners to engage in a future economy centered around autonomous ride-sharing. Additionally, the Cybervan was introduced, capable of accommodating up to 20 passengers, though no specific launch date was announced. Musk revealed plans for fully autonomous driving capabilities to be available for current Tesla owners utilizing the Full Self-Driving software package by the year 2025.
However, this offer will initially be limited to Texas and California, both of which currently allow autonomous vehicle testing within designated areas. It remains uncertain whether Tesla has secured additional permissions to expand its operations statewide or if it is merely participating in existing pilot programs. The event's focal point was the Optimus humanoid robot, which saw multiple units interacting with event attendees through engaging gameplay and conversations.
Despite the spectacle, Tesla refrained from showcasing any groundbreaking advancements in robotics, autonomous vehicles, or artificial intelligence technologies. This lack of innovation has been noted in comparison to competitors in the AI industry, such as Hanson Robotics' 'Sophia' and Boston Dynamics' Atlas and Spot robots. In Musk's vision for the future, Optimus is anticipated to serve as a versatile assistant, performing a variety of tasks, including teaching, babysitting, dog walking, and lawn mowing.
Nonetheless, Tesla did not offer any information regarding the timeline or practicality of realizing this ambitious vision. Furthermore, the company did not address the significant regulatory and safety challenges that accompany the development and production of such a sophisticated consumer robotics device..