Tesla’s new Optimus robot has caused a stir after it was unveiled at the firm’s highly anticpated ‘We, Robot’ event at Warner Bros studios in California on Thursday (October 10).
A group of the humanoid beings made their way on stage to huge fanfare, with CEO Elon Musk claiming Optimus had “progressed dramatically year after year” since production plans were first detailed in 2021. Mogul Musk described the creation as his company’s “biggest ever product” as it was revealed alongside Cybercab – a self-driving taxi you’ll reportedly be able to purchase for under £23,000 in 2026.
“It’ll do anything you want,” Musk said of Optimus. “It can be a teacher, 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.”
Footage of an interview with Optimus showcasing its capabilites was shared on X after the event, but one of its responses sparked particular concerns from viewers. Scores of sci-fi books and films have told the dystopian tale of robots taking control of the world, and now some fear that fantasy is edging closer to becoming a reality.
“A conversation between Tesla Optimus bot and a human is the best thing you’ll see on the internet today,” declared X user DogeDesigner (@cb_doge) alongside the video. Optimus begins by greeting interviewer John, and proceeding to ask how he is and where he is from.
“That’s wonderful,” Optimus exclaims, before asking John where excatly in San Jose he resides, listing several neighbourhoods in the area.
John responds: “Where do you live?” prompting Optimus to explain, adding: “That’s where they train us, that’s where we get our builds – they’re wonderful, super people.”
Next, John asks: “What’s the hardest thing about being a robot?” After a brief hesitation, Optimus admits: “Trying to learn how to be as human as you guys are.”
John laughs, but Optimus isn’t done there, as it eerily adds: “And that’s something I try to do harder every day and I hope that you’ll help us become that.”
One viewer expressed concern: “‘Learning to be as human as you are’ is crazy.” A second person replied in agreement: “I’m scared of that response. When it comes to intelligence, people are limited to certain concepts or agenda that which it takes only limited to invest on those. As for internet driven machine those things are not limited to anything and they can tell based on your response.”
A third commented in fear: “The last 20 seconds of this clip should make your blood go cold. Most won’t take this seriously.” While a fourth considered: “On one hand, I can’t wait for such a future… On the other hand, I have a feeling that it will be another invention which (despite the creators assurances) will further alienate people and negatively affect us all.”
However, some cast doubts over the extent of artifical intelligence involved, with one X user declaring: “Fake. I’m convinced that’s a human feeding voice lines through the robot. It sounds too natural. It’s even interrupting speech like I do when there’s a delay in Xbox chat. Evidence of a voice actor in control.”
And a second sceptic said: “I guarantee you that’s a human speaking remotely through a mic and speaker.”
