Elon Musk officially unveiled more futuristic Tesla devices last week, but it seems not everyone is thrilled.
Australian-Egyptian filmmaker Alex Proyas has accused the billionaire tech boss of poaching his ideas from his 2004 film ‘I, Robot’.
On X (Twitter), Proyas posted photos of futuristic tech from ‘I, Robot’ next to three remarkably-similar Tesla products – Optimus, Robovan and Robotaxi.
Proyas also included the message: ‘Hey Elon, Can I have my designs back please?’
Robovan and Robotaxi were unveiled on Thursday at a Tesla event dubbed ‘We Robot’ – a blatant reference to the film.
Alex Proyas posted photos from his 2004 film ‘I, Robot’ (left) next to Tesla’s remarkably similar designs (right)
Tesla’s Optimus has a striking resemblance to Sonny, the fictional robot protagonist from the movie, starring Will Smith (pictured)
Set in Chicago in 2035, ‘I, Robot’ depicts intelligent robots filling public service positions in a dystopian world.
Tesla’s Optimus has a striking resemblance to Sonny, the fictional robot protagonist from the movie.
Meanwhile, Robotaxi looks a bit like Audi RSQ, a concept car with swinging ‘butterfly doors’ developed by Audi for use as a product placement.
And Robovan is similar to USR Robot Transport stainless steel automated cargo truck used to transport robots around Chicago.
Although Proyas directed ‘I, Robot’, the film was written by two American screenwriters loosely based on 1950 book of the same name by Isaac Asimov.
However, Proyas maintained a degree of artistic direction in his film and has claimed the designs as he own.
In response to the director’s post on Sunday, many commentators actually praised Musk by bringing the designs to life.
One user replied: ‘Haha, you should be honoured. He has made them real life.’
Another person said: ‘He [Musk] has been and always will be a grifter bro.’
Yet another posted: ‘Be honored. What you did with CGI and a green screen, @elonmusk did in reality.’
Pictured, Australian-Egyptian filmmaker Alex Proyas. His directorial credits also include ‘The Crow’ and ‘Gods of Egypt’
Tesla boss Elon Musk (pictured) officially unveiled more futuristic Tesla devices last week – Robovan and Robotaxi
Det. Del Spooner (Will Smith) is pictured with Audi RSQ, a concept car developed by Audi for use as a product placement in the sci-fi film
Elon Musk unveiled the Robotaxi (pictured) and Robovan at Tesla’s ‘We Robot’ event last week
The USR Robot Transport is a sleek stainless steel automated cargo truck used to transport robots around the city of Chicago
Robovan, a large self-driving bus, has no interior controls but includes enough space to seat 20 people
Pictured: Sonny, the NS5 robot from 2004 science fiction film ‘I, Robot’ that sees intelligent robots fill public service positions in a dystopian world
Optimus, Tesla’s almost six-foot-tall humanoid robot, can walk at five miles per hour, deadlift 150 pounds and carry 45 pounds
Musk unveiled its two new autonomous vehicles, Robotaxi and Robovan, at Tesla’s ‘We Robot’ event on Thursday
Robotaxi has no steering wheel, pedals, or rear window and just enough room for two passengers, who will simply sit back and allow the car to drive itself.
It will cost under $30,000 (£23,000) and should enter production before 2027, according to Tesla.
Meanwhile, Robovan, a larger self-driving bus, has no interior controls but includes enough space to seat 20 people.
Musk’s concept of ‘robo’ transport vehicles, first mooted nearly a decade ago, is a self-driving vehicle and an alternative to the manned taxis lining the world’s streets.
In the near future, passengers could request a Robotaxi on Robovan ride through an app, similar to Uber or Lyft, and be transported from A to B without having to interact with any driver – because there isn’t one.
Tesla’s futuristic Robotaxi will have no steering wheel, pedals, or rear window. The two passengers will simply sit back and allow the car to drive itself
Pictured, the promo image for Tesla’s ‘We Robot’ event on Thursday – a blatant reference to ‘I, Robot’
The vehicle owner, meanwhile, would be able to send their vehicle out to make the trip, rather than having to get in the vehicle and drive it themselves, with the tap of an app.
As for Optimus, Tesla’s almost six-foot-tall robotic humanoid which is designed to help with household chores, was unveiled two years ago.
At the ‘We Robot’ event, a fleet of Optimus bots impressed guests by answering questions, serving them drinks and even dancing.
However, it’s since emerged the remarkably human-like machines were being remotely-controlled by people behind the scenes.
Musk expects the final version of Optimus released to the public will be autonomous and capable of menial tasks, as well as offer friendship, describing it as ‘your own personal R2D2 or C3PO’.
‘I think this will be the biggest product ever of any kind,’ he said, adding that he expected the robot to retail for $20,000 to $30,000 (£15,000 to £23,000).
The Tesla boss expects the bots will be in households by 2027, although it’s always worth taking Musk’s estimated timeframes with a pinch of salt.
At the ‘We Robot’ event, a fleet of Optimus bots impressed guests by answering questions and serving them drinks
Optimus could make an ‘incredible buddy like R2D2 or C3PO’ from Star Wars (pictured) for the everyday user in the home
Musk said in 2019 he was ‘very confident’ Tesla would have operational robotaxis by 2020.
Meanwhile, Tesla’s Cybertruck was unveiled in 2019 and didn’t become available to customers until November 2023.
The $80,000 Cybertruck is a ultra-resilient all-electric pick-up truck covered in stainless steel, although it’s faced safety and performance complaints from buyers.
Tesla has already announced but not released other products, including the heavy-duty Semi truck and the Cyberquad quad bike.