Elon Musk’s Tesla Designs Spark Mockery Over Resemblance to I, Robot
Director Alex Proyas Playfully Jabs Musk Over Similarities to 2004 Sci-Fi Film
Elon Musk’s much-anticipated “We, Robot” event has sparked a heated conversation online, with many fans drawing striking comparisons between Tesla’s latest creations and the futuristic designs featured in the 2004 sci-fi film I, Robot.
As the tech giant revealed Tesla’s Optimus robot, Robotaxi, and Robovan at the Warner Bros. lot, critics couldn’t help but point out uncanny similarities to the designs in the movie, leading to a wave of mockery on social media.
Even the director of I, Robot, Alex Proyas, chimed in with a playful jab at Musk, adding fuel to the growing online discourse.
Optimus and Robotaxi under fire for copycat claims
At Tesla’s “We, Robot” event in Burbank, California, Musk showcased his newest advancements in robotics—Optimus, a humanoid robot, alongside the self-driving Robotaxi and Robovan. The event, which referenced Isaac Asimov’s iconic sci-fi works, drew unexpected attention for its resemblance to the 2004 Will Smith film. Tesla’s Optimus, in particular, was likened to the movie’s NS5 robots, while the sleek designs of the Robotaxi and Robovan drew comparisons to the Audi RSQ and other vehicles featured in I, Robot.
Though Tesla’s homage to Asimov’s work was intended as a playful nod to the sci-fi genre, many observers saw the designs as direct imitations rather than inspirations. The internet quickly lit up with memes and comments, mocking Musk’s robots as borrowed from Hollywood’s futuristic visions.
Director Alex Proyas takes a swipe
As the comparisons flooded social media, I, Robot director Alex Proyas joined the fray with a lighthearted jab, tweeting, “Hey Elon, can I have my designs back please?” The comment went viral, with fans of the film applauding the director’s humor. Filmmaker Matt Granger also added his voice to the criticism, writing, “I too wish to offer my full-fingered ‘f*** you’ to Elon and his utter lack of creativity.”
The conversation on social media was equally scathing. One user sarcastically commented, “Bro thinks he invented basic robot design,” while another wrote, “Who’s gonna tell him he’s not the first to come up with robots and futuristic cars?” Another observer added, “The vehicles especially look close—cars almost identical.”
Tesla’s groundbreaking robots meet skepticism
Despite the online backlash, Musk’s AI Day event continued to spotlight Tesla’s innovations. Among the key announcements was the unveiling of the self-driving Robotaxi, a two-seater electric vehicle designed for autonomous transport, and the Robovan, which is geared toward larger passenger and cargo transport. However, it was the Optimus robot that truly captured the audience’s attention, with its impressive capabilities such as singing, dancing, and performing complex tasks.
Musk also hinted at Tesla’s advancements in self-driving technology, predicting that the company would soon transition to fully autonomous modes that no longer require human intervention. However, as cutting-edge as these developments may be, the design comparisons to I, Robot have somewhat overshadowed the excitement, with many continuing to question Musk’s originality.
A Sci-Fi connection
The 2004 film I, Robot, directed by Alex Proyas and starring Will Smith, was based on Isaac Asimov’s collection of short stories published between 1940 and 1950. These stories delve into the complex relationship between humans and robots, exploring ethical dilemmas surrounding artificial intelligence. With the film’s futuristic depictions of humanoid robots and autonomous vehicles, the visual similarities between I, Robot, and Tesla’s latest creations have become a focal point of debate.
As Musk continues to push the boundaries of technology with Tesla’s AI-driven innovations, the playful yet pointed criticisms from sci-fi fans and filmmakers underscore a larger conversation about the influence of fiction on real-world technological advancement. Whether inspired by Asimov, I, Robot, or Musk’s futuristic vision, Tesla’s designs are sure to keep fueling the conversation in the tech world.