Director Alex Proyas accused Tesla of copying robot and vehicle designs from his 2004 film “I, Robot” for the company’s latest autonomous products. Proyas, who led the Will Smith-starring sci-fi movie, took to social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, after Tesla’s recent “We, Robot” event, saying, “Can I have my designs back please?”
Tesla’s event featured the unveiling of the Optimus robot, a two-seater Cybercab and a Robovan, which can transport up to 20 passengers.
The initial excitement from fans quickly turned into criticism as many pointed out the similarities between Tesla’s new designs and those from “I, Robot.” Optimus was compared to the film’s NS5 robots, while the Robotaxi drew parallels to the futuristic Audi RSQ.
Elon Musk, Tesla’s CEO, highlighted the affordability of autonomous driving at the event, saying the Cybercab could eventually cost around $0.20 per mile. However, this vision has been delayed before, with Musk originally promising fleets of autonomous robotaxis on the road by 2020.
Tesla’s push for autonomous vehicles has faced numerous challenges. The Cybercab, which lacks steering wheels and pedals, may encounter regulatory hurdles similar to those that have plagued other autonomous vehicle projects.
Additionally, Tesla’s Full Self-Driving software, which relies only on cameras, still requires human intervention despite years of development and testing.
Proyas’ public criticism has reignited conversations about the intersection of science fiction and real-world technology. The debate centers on whether Tesla’s designs are a tribute to or a direct imitation of “I, Robot.” Meanwhile, Tesla’s goal of fully autonomous transportation remains in progress, with production of the Cybercab expected by 2026.
