13 August 2021, Brandenburg, Grünheide: Elon Musk, Tesla CEO, stands at a press occasion on the grounds … [+]
It’s potential that we’re in denial about this.
Current Twitter feedback have highlighted the truth that final week’s Tesla robotic demonstration was considerably disappointing. The primary bot (referred to as Bumble C) waved and stepped gingerly on the stage and that’s about it. There’s nothing fairly like altering your oil or making pancakes but.
This presentation was known as probably the most embarrassing by one particular person.
I agree. Elon Musk even introduced the robotic with some sarcasm. The robotic will look quite a bit higher than the earlier demo, which featured a person carrying a robotic swimsuit.
The bot reached for water in a behind-the scenes video. Musk claims the bot acknowledges objects. That is opposite to Boston Dynamics bots that are pre-programmed. Nonetheless, Twitter replies had been skeptical.
“I might hardly name that tech,” stated one commenter: One other stated all of it appears “dated.”
Okay, level taken. This presentation was crammed nearly completely with banter and jargon. It simply barely hid any real innovation. “What you’re seeing is semi-off-the-shelf actuators,” defined Musk with a scoff. “It wasn’t fairly able to stroll however it can stroll in a number of weeks. We needed to indicate a bot that’s pretty near what is going to go into manufacturing.”
At this level, Tesla workers wheeled out one other bot that regarded all shiny and new, however didn’t do rather more than wave. “Right here you’re seeing Optimus with a level of freedom,” says Musk. Right here’s the total presentation:
A number of folks on Twitter have now echoed Musk’s feedback halfway via his demo. The present technology of robots could make items with out the usage of an AI mind, and they’re as costly as your private home. The Optimus can be taught from its setting, he claims, and can run about the identical value as a Nissan.
Sadly, AI appears to be in an unrealized state. Whereas the potential for automated help is clear, the fact will not be so clear. These robots would possibly wash dishes for us sometime, but it surely’s laborious to inform when that will likely be.
Musk hints at “quickly” however the demo doesn’t reinforce that concept. The reality is — perhaps we simply don’t need it to occur. The hype surrounding autonomous automobiles or robotic assistants is probably higher understood as both an idea, or an concept.
As soon as there’s an precise robotic like Optimus in our houses, sweeping the ground and letting the cat out, we would not be prepared for what may occur subsequent: Insurance coverage nightmares; precise and legit questions on eugenics when these bots can change people; an over-reliance on AI tech with none actual requirements or security protocols.
And, dare to even say it — how will the U.S. authorities be concerned?
A minimum of with the auto business, there’s some regulation over issues like seat belts and air luggage. Musk has expressed concern about AI governance.
When an organization like Tesla wheels out a robotic and says it could possibly be in our houses quickly, my first thought isn’t concerning the AI mind or the competitors, and isn’t even about the price or the function set. It’s extra about whether or not any of us are prepared for these robots to truly exists.
