Tesla CEO Elon Musk unveiled a futuristic glimpse of life with a robot “buddy” during an event billed as “We, Robot.”
The tech billionaire introduced the company’s Cybercab and a Robovan at the Warner Bros Studios in Burbank, California on Thursday. But an almost surreal moment unfolded as Musk debuted his fleet of humanoid robots during the live-streamed event that, at one point, pulled in millions of viewers.
Tesla’s Optimus robots walked out on stage, and Musk explained how affordable it would be for “anyone to own” one, as they should range from $20,000 to $30,000 each.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 11, 2024
Musk explained that “a lot of progress” has been made in developing the humanoid robots which will continue to improve into “something spectacular.”
“At scale, you should be able to buy an Optimus robot for I think, probably $20,000 – $30,000,” Musk said, teasing that everyone can have “your own personal R2D2 / C3PO.”
A conversation between Tesla Optimus bot and a human is the best thing you’ll see on the internet today.
— DogeDesigner (@cb_doge) October 11, 2024
“So what can it do? It’ll be able to do anything you want,” Musk explained. “So it can be a teacher or babysit your kids. It can walk your dog, mow your lawn, get the groceries, just be your friend, serve drinks, whatever you can think of, it will do.”
“I think this will be the biggest product ever of any kind,” he predicted.
The faceless robots interact and can even pour drinks at a bar.
Those robots are controlled by operators, but still, it is ok
— steve simeonidis (@SimeonidisSteve) October 11, 2024
Reactions on the Musk-owned X platform ranged from some users being impressed and others being afraid of the future that is here.
This is too awesome. Tesla is shaping the future right in front of us
— Shane Connor 🇺🇲 (@ShaneConnor) October 11, 2024
Optimus is gonna change the world forever! No more laundry 😁
— Austin (@MrKibbles0) October 11, 2024
What’s the “there were good intentions” lifespan of something like this before it turns around and kills its owner? Just wondering before I buy.
— Five Times August (@FiveTimesAugust) October 11, 2024
Ok I’m scared.
— Kristen Mag (@kristenmag) October 11, 2024
This is amazing and I cant wait to own one…. But also, where are all the people going to work when they get replaced by robots?
— Jesse E Graves (@seadoobiedoo) October 11, 2024
A bright future ahead pic.twitter.com/njUquLC7bM
— Gerrrald17_ (@GerarldsWorld_) October 11, 2024
In the year 2035, Optimus became connected to the internet. Someone was dissatisfied with his behavior and enabled him to become self-aware. We can probably guess what happens next.
— Olayemi 𝕏 (@digitalaom) October 11, 2024
Hey, longshoremen go on strike and meet your permanent replacements!
Couple this with AI and you are ALL unemployed! Put the files of the top doctors in the world into a data base searchable by AI and then have it control 50 robots and you have 50 world class doctors!