For as far back in time as you can imagine, people have always imagined what the future of the world would look like. Television shows like the Jetsons and Small Wonder portray the future as a tech-savvy environment with sentient robots, flying cars and downloadable meals. It’s now 2024 and although flying cars aren’t the norm, the world of robots and automation are on the brink of being incorporated into daily life. Elon Musk, creator of Tesla, announced the future release of three new additions at his much anticipated We, Robot event: the Robo Taxi, the Robo Van, and the We, Robot.
Robo Taxi is a fully automated car made for personal use with no steering wheel or driver. The Robo Van is an means to transport people or goods, and the We, Robot is an able-bodied robot with functionalities that help with communication, house chores, and other small yet beneficial tasks. The hype surrounding the interesting looking robotics have been met with intrigue and excitement, as well as mistrust and skepticism. The idea of self-driven vehicles sends people’s anxiety through the roof. Musk did his best to confront those concerns by honing in on the amount of research put into the preparation of these releases and the benefits they would have on traffic and the environment. Tesla, however, isn’t the only brand making this type of technology to improve the environment.
Many car manufacturers have mimicked the AF1 technology and software that Tesla uses to create their own electric vehicles. Lincoln recently showcased a concept car, the Lincoln L-100, that is a fully electric sports car with a glass ceiling and LED screens for floors. The steering wheel and key are replaced by a crystal carved into the shape of the car placed on a large touchscreen where you’d typically find an armrest. The back seat is an L-shaped booth style, like you’d find in a restaurant, making it a capsule that up to 5 people can comfortably sit in with premium wood grain doors. Minimalism seems to be a common thread as none of these cars come with exciting interior colors. Buyers seem to love the simplicity of style and the convenience of not being responsible for driving to their destinations. But is convenience worth more than the risks? Naysayers of futuristic transportation express valid doubt in these machines’ ability to safely travel on the road for long. News stories of Tesla cars and Cyber Trucks combusting in people’s homes and on the road have been enough to persuade some people to never transition into a fully electric vehicle, and definitely wouldn’t go so far as to have a robot in their home made with the same flammable parts. Musk swears that despite those incidents, the way forward is in automation and everyone will one day have a robot of their own. He believes this non-traditional form of transportation is the answer to a greener Earth and uncongested roads across the world.
The soon to be released Optimus Robot seems to be Musk’s favorite amongst the new developments. He notes that its social skills and physical abilities will improve the lives of millions of people wanting assistance completing mundane tasks around the house, including talking with you like a friend.
“What can it do? It’ll be able to do anything you want. It can be a teacher, baby sit your kids, it can walk your dog, mow your lawn, get the groceries, just be your friend, serve drinks, whatever you can think of, it can do. I think it’ll be the biggest project of its time. Because I think everyone of the 8 million people of earth, is going to want their Optimus Buddy.”
The obsession with autonomous vehicles is spreading as these elaborate ideas are continually being tested and improved. According to Musk, his self-driving vehicles have been tested so many times that it is nearly impossible for them to initiate a wreck or put anyone in danger. Musk has even gone as far as promising that this new lineup of electric vehicles will be 10-30 times safer than a human driving.
“One of the reasons why the computer can be so much better than a person, is that we have million cars that are training driving. It’s like, living millions of lives simultaneously and seeing very unusual situations that a person in their entire lifetime wouldn’t see. With that amount of training data it’s going to be much better than a human can be. It can see in all directions simultaneously, and it doesn’t get tired, or text.”
Tesla claims to be focused on being efficient, affordable, and safe, but there are some who disagree and believe it is unnecessary technology that will end in all of our demise. A world where R2-D2 is cooking dinner and watching babies just doesn’t sit well with much of the older generations that are distrustful of how badly things may go wrong. The dependency on technology and AI leaves worry for workers that are replaced by robots, but also a loss of connection amongst families and possible loss of life from the unknown mishaps. The debate of whether a tech-advanced world will be the best way to go green or it being the worse thing to happen to mankind stays a hot button topic. The only way to know, is to wait and see.
The Robo Taxi and Cyber Cab are set to be the first of this new line released in mass production no later than 2027.
