After Tesla’s latest product reveal, social media lit up with accusations that the company had copied designs from the 2004 sci-fi film I, Robot, directed by Alex Proyas and starring Will Smith. During Tesla’s Cybercab Robotaxi presentation, held last week at the Warner Bros. lot in Burbank, the company showcased three new robotic products: the Tesla Bot, Optimus, a Robotaxi, and a Robovan.
Accusations of Copying ‘I, Robot’
While the initial reveal generated excitement, praise quickly turned into mockery. Many people on social media pointed out striking similarities between Tesla’s products and those in I, Robot, which is set in a futuristic Chicago in 2035. Tesla’s event, titled “We, Robot,” was a nod to Isaac Asimov’s 1950 short-story collection, which inspired the film, but some found the resemblance too close for comfort.
Tesla’s Optimus vs. NS5 Robots
The Tesla Bot, known as Optimus, is a humanoid robot currently under development by Tesla. Its name nods to the famous Transformers character, but its design bears a closer resemblance to the NS5 robots seen in I, Robot. Social media users quickly pointed out the similarities between Tesla’s Optimus and the film’s humanoid machines.
Robovan and Robotaxi Mocked for Similarities
The Robovan, a self-driving people mover, and the Robotaxi, a self-driving taxi, also faced scrutiny for their resemblance to vehicles in I, Robot. The Robovan looks similar to the robot delivery vehicle from the film, while the Robotaxi bears a resemblance to the futuristic Audi RSQ featured in the movie. These similarities sparked widespread ridicule online.
Director Alex Proyas Responds
On Sunday, Alex Proyas himself responded to the comparisons, taking to X (formerly Twitter) to mock Elon Musk. “Hey Elon, can I have my designs back please?” he posted, adding to the growing conversation around Tesla’s design choices.
Industry Insiders Join In
Matt Granger, who worked as an assistant to Proyas on I, Robot, also shared his thoughts. Granger tweeted, “I too wish to offer my full-fingered ‘fuck you’ to Elon and his utter lack of creativity,” adding fuel to the debate over Tesla’s originality.
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