The Optimus robots took center stage at Tesla’s recent Cybercab event, mixing and mingling with the guests, dispensing beverages, and even participating in lighthearted games and dancing. Even though the display of these humanoid robots was undoubtedly amazing, it soon became clear that it was more theatrical than science fiction.
Videos from the event reveal the illusion: if Optimus were truly an autonomous machine capable of reacting instantly to verbal and visual cues in a crowded, dimly lit environment, it would have been a groundbreaking achievement. However, it was soon discovered that these robots were not as independent as they seemed. Attendee Robert Scoble reported that humans were “remote assisting” the robots, later clarifying that an engineer disclosed to him that AI was used primarily for movement. Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Jonas also noted that the robots relied on tele-operations, confirming human intervention played a significant role.
There were several hints supporting these claims. The robots displayed different voices and had immediate, synchronized responses to questions, suggesting a lack of genuine AI autonomy. In one interaction, an Optimus robot humorously acknowledged that it was only partially controlled by AI. Another robot openly admitted to being assisted by a human, its voice faltering as it tried to pronounce “autonomous.”
Tesla’s humanoid robot has previously generated more fanfare than actuality. A man wearing a robot suit was brought on stage by Elon Musk to introduce the project at its inception. This pattern was maintained by the inflated presentation at the Cybercab event, which exaggerated the robots’ capabilities for dramatic effect. Theatrics notwithstanding, attendees seemed to enjoy the display for what it was.
But for those who were actually interested in learning more about Tesla’s advancements in humanoid robotics, the presentation didn’t provide much information about where the technology is at. Although the display was amusing, it didn’t provide a clear picture of Tesla’s progress toward creating completely autonomous robots.
