Tesla's Optimus Sparks Controversy with Buggy Demo and Teleoperator Labor Concerns

Tesla’s humanoid robot, Optimus, has raised fresh questions about its autonomy after a demonstration in Miami. During the event, an Optimus robot was seen standing behind a counter with bottles of water, but its actions have sparked controversy.

Incident at the Autonomy Visualized Event

The robot was seen mimicking the gesture of taking off a headset, even though it wasn’t wearing one. The robot then fell to the ground, seemingly powered down. This incident has raised questions about the robot being teleoperated, rather than autonomous.

Reactions from the Community

YouTuber JerryRigEverything, also known as Zack Nelson, expressed his views on the matter, taking a swipe at Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Nelson questioned whether Tesla would be able to find enough teleoperators to support the production of 1 million Optimus robots, citing the need for safety drivers for the company’s robotaxis.

Optimus’ Human-Like Movements

Despite the controversy, Tesla has recently showcased Optimus’ human-like movements, including running across the floor and demonstrating life-like gestures. The robot has also been showcased at a movie premiere in Los Angeles, where it performed martial arts movements alongside an expert.

Tesla’s Future Value and Labor Concerns

Elon Musk has claimed that the Optimus robot will represent 80% of Tesla’s future value and will help eradicate poverty, address labor shortages in Japan, and even perform surgery. However, investor Michael Burry has criticized Tesla’s market capitalization, calling it “ridiculously overvalued” and labeling the company’s supporters as the “Elon cult.”

Price Action

Tesla’s stock price jumped 0.11% to $455.00 at market close on Friday but declined 1.12% to $449.91 during pre-market trading on Monday.

Conclusion

The controversy surrounding Optimus has raised questions about the robot’s autonomy and the company’s production plans. As Tesla continues to develop and showcase its humanoid robot, it will be important to address concerns about labor, safety, and the potential impact on the company’s stock price.

For more information on Tesla and the future of mobility, check out our Mobility Coverage. You can also read about Texas Rep. James Talarico’s criticism of Elon Musk’s pay package and the call to Tax Trillionaires.

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