Elon Musk promises images from…Blade Runner “in a few years”: Driverless taxis & humanoid robots everywhere

Published by Protothema on Fri, 10/11/2024 - 13:46

Tesla CEO Elon Musk unveiled today his vision for a “fun, exciting future,” filled with autonomous vehicles from his company, without steering wheels or drivers, as well as humanoid robots that will walk among us. As usual, the world’s richest man promised that all of this will be available “in a few years.” However, the ambitious timelines he presents are rarely realized on schedule.

Musk’s futuristic plans were showcased at a glitzy event in California, the kind that has helped create a dedicated fan base for Tesla’s electric vehicles. At the event, autonomous Robotaxis were presented, as well as a Robovan, designed to transport more people or cargo.

The plans carry a metallic, sleek aesthetic reminiscent of a science fiction movie. Musk himself didn’t miss the chance to reference the classic Blade Runner, though he was quick to point out that he would prefer his version of the future to be happier than the dystopian, dark vision portrayed in Ridley Scott’s film.

The event, held at Warner Bros studios, was broadcast live on the social media platform X, which is owned by the billionaire. A large crowd was present, cheering Musk throughout his relatively brief 20-minute presentation, eagerly awaiting the opportunity to ride in one of the 50 autonomous vehicles driving around the studio lot.

Tesla has long offered what it calls Full Self-Driving (FSD), currently priced at $8,000, as an option for its vehicles. However, despite the name, Tesla states that drivers must remain seated in the driver’s seat, ready to take control of the vehicle at any time, even when it is in FSD mode.

Musk stated that Tesla vehicles equipped with FSD will soon be able to operate without human intervention, wherever regulatory authorities allow it. He predicted that this will happen in California and Texas by next year.

Musk went a step further by also introducing the Robocab, or Cybercab, a vehicle without a steering wheel, gas pedal, or brake, specifically designed to transport passengers without a driver. He stated that this vehicle should be in production by 2026. “It will be like sitting in a comfortable little living room,” he said. “Yes, it will be awesome!”

He also showcased a larger vehicle, which he said will be able to transport up to 20 passengers or cargo, calling it the Robovan. However, he did not provide a timeline for its release.

Additionally, Tesla is developing the Optimus robot, which could be available for $20,000–$30,000 and is capable of performing various tasks. “Optimus will walk among you,” said Tesla’s CEO. “You’ll be able to walk alongside them, and they’ll be serving drinks!”

Musk claimed that this robot could essentially do “everything” and provided examples such as walking the dog, looking after children, mowing the lawn, and serving drinks. “I think this will be the biggest product ever,” he stated.

The post Elon Musk promises images from…Blade Runner “in a few years”: Driverless taxis & humanoid robots everywhere appeared first on ProtoThema English.

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