Tesla “We, Robot” Tech Movie Ripoffs? 👀

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Clearly, Tesla’s “We, Robot” occasion was a reference to the 2004 movie I, Robot. I haven’t even seen the movie and I received that. Having not seen the movie, although, I didn’t notice how related a few of it tech was to what Tesla unveiled. Nevertheless, the film’s director did notice it. And it doesn’t appear he was too happy.

Hey Elon, Can I’ve my designs again please? #ElonMusk #Elon_Musk pic.twitter.com/WPgxHevr6E

— Alex Proyas (@alex_proyas) October 13, 2024

Right here’s the picture in the event you can’t open that:

There’s quite a bit to unpack right here.

To begin with, after all, Tesla has a full design staff. This staff has created a number of the greatest automobile designs of the twenty first century. They did their very own factor to a point….

However there are additionally clear similarities between every of those designs — Optimus, Cybervan, and Cybercab — and the I, Robotic originals. That may’t be a coincidence, particularly whenever you additionally contemplate that Elon Musk gave this even the identify “We, Robot.” The diploma to which they’re related is definitely thoughts blowing. My eyes are nonetheless popping open. This simply looks like an elaborate joke.

Elon Musk has proven prior to now that he’s strongly influenced by, impressed by, and eager to reference iconic films. He had the quantity within the Tesla Mannequin S go to 11, in reference to This is Spinal Tap. He gave the very best efficiency Mannequin S and Mannequin X trims the title “Plaid” in reference to Space Balls. Some parts of varied film autos influenced the Cybertruck’s design, particularly a automobile in Blade Runner. He additionally purchased the submarine automotive from a James Bond movie for $1 million. And, a narrative for one more day, he has pretended he’s Dr. Evil. It’s clear that films have made a robust impression on Musk, to the purpose that they’ve strongly influenced Tesla merchandise.

That’s all effectively and good if it’s simply enjoyable and video games, however is it greater than that? Does Musk love the worlds in films to a lot, or imagine in them a lot, that he’s spent an excellent a part of his work at Tesla attempting to recreate a few of them, or plan for a few of them? Does he view these worlds extra pretty much as good forecasts and predictions than fanciful enjoyable?

On the core, I’ve to marvel today, does a lot of what Musk is attempting to invent simply come from his emotions when he was youthful, enthralled in these tales and graphics, that these items ought to be attainable and actual?

I don’t know. It’s all a bit of wild to me. Nevertheless, now I really feel like I must go and watch the film I, Robotic to completely perceive what Musk has been envisioning and what he’s attempting to create.

I’ve additionally lengthy although that Musk’s allusions to sure in style films have been ingenious, extremely efficient advertising ploys. When you possibly can faucet right into a broad, robust cultural reference and feeling, you possibly can transfer lots of people in a constructive means. However is Musk simply simply enthralled by sure narratives and different worlds, and keen to leap into the storylines himself?

Truthfully, I really feel the references to I, Robotic are a bit eery. I’m genuinely placing the film on my weekend watch listing.