Tesla goes all out and presses the accelerator in an event that is going around the world and has been dubbed We, Robot. In it, practically every robotics dream you can imagine that Elon Musk has has been announced, from the company’s first fully autonomous robotaxi to a new humanoid robot that is inspired by the Star Wars universe.
Elon Musk has found the best way to escape from the memes that he starred in a few days ago for his participation in one of Donald Trump’s rallies. His photos, replicated until the day of judgment, have been quickly forgotten as we see how the executive does his thing again. In this case, he has been surrounded by the press and professionals in an event that will possibly have a strong impact on the future of robotics. At least, it gives the impression that it represents a firm step forward for us to reach that world that is visualized in films like I, Robot.
A robot that will be your best friend
You may have already heard of Tesla’s Optimus, since the robot had previously been presented in a previous version. This new edition breaks all the rules and seeks to begin setting the course towards the day when we can have a robotic assistant at home that does tasks for us and with which we can also communicate. Musk’s words, as usual, point very high. He says the robot will be like having your own C-3PO, a fantasy many Star Wars fans have had on their wish list for decades. Also comment that he will be your colleague, a friend with whom you can walk side by side and let him do many tasks for you.
From what we have seen at the event, where the Optimus robots have moved, danced and served drinks with very fashionable hats, Tesla is aiming high. The robot also has the ability to talk and can most likely do more than what is being demonstrated for now. In materials published by Tesla, we see Optimus carrying groceries from the supermarket, cleaning the kitchen or even participating in family play sessions.
Musk mentions that the robot will have a price of between $20,000 and $30,000 and envisions a not-too-distant future in which everyone can access Tesla products. This would result, if this were to happen, in homes around the world beginning to be filled with these robots that, without a doubt, could greatly simplify household tasks. Another question is knowing if we are working in a convenient way to prevent the AI ​​from ruining everything or ending up causing situations like the one in the aforementioned movie that we indicated before. But it is to be imagined that everything will be taken into account. Or maybe not, because with Musk you never know.
What Musk has pointed out is that they are aware of the risks of Super AI and that they are going to work on it, so the idea is possibly to prevent everything from getting out of control. At the moment, the new Optimus have played rock, paper, scissors at the event and have even won, so we don’t know if it’s a good sign or not.
More automated vehicles
The Cybercab is another of Tesla’s new projects, an autonomous car that will have a price of about $30,000 and will become the, apparently, perfect taxi. The data that Musk uses to talk about his promising vehicle places special emphasis on the fact that these vehicles will be ten times safer than those driven by people. He also comments that the intention is to convert its interior space into very cozy places that provide you with a great level of comfort. Musk himself arrived at the event in one of these robotaxis that point to an interesting future, to say the least. For the executive, using these vehicles will mean recovering a large amount of time that we spend behind the wheel today.
As you can see in the photos, the Cybercab has space for two seats and is a vehicle of which 20 units have already been produced and have been present at We, Robot. Although it will be put up for sale if you want to own it, the intention is that, when we call a service provided by Cybercab, we can have the car not only for a while, but throughout the entire day.
Another novelty is the RoboVan, another robot vehicle, this time in the form of a van and with the peculiarity that it does not have a front window. Aside from its aesthetics, which maintains the cyber line that characterizes this type of vehicle, the most interesting thing about the van is its enormous interior space. Tesla says it has space for a maximum of 20 people and therefore it is also possible to use it to carry cargo and transport all kinds of things. Not only that, but the company has mentioned that the interior of the van could be adapted to be used as a motorhome or a school bus. Possibly, the possibilities that are going through the entity’s head are enormous, but we will still have to wait and see how the project develops.
For the daily lives of many professionals or at specific times when you want, for example, to make a move, it could be great support. You wouldn’t have to hire a driver and you would greatly simplify the entire transportation process, which doesn’t sound bad. In any case, both about the van and other Tesla projects, we will learn more in the coming months.
