Tesla’s latest humanoid robot, Optimus Gen 3, has sparked a mix of fascination and skepticism on social media. Despite showcasing advanced abilities like walking, serving drinks, and even engaging in basic conversation, Optimus has drawn heavy criticism, with people questioning both its utility and originality.
One major critique centers on the robot’s resemblance to Hollywood sci-fi, particularly comparisons to the 2004 film I, Robot. Many felt the demonstration leaned heavily into a cinematic portrayal of AI, with the design and projected abilities appearing more like a sci-fi homage than groundbreaking technology. Users on X (formerly Twitter) have pointed out that Tesla’s use of such aesthetics could be playing to the “cool factor” of science fiction without offering substantial advancements in AI or autonomy.
Another critique focuses on what some view as “performance over substance.” At the recent “We, Robot” event, while Optimus displayed impressive motion abilities and some interaction, reports suggest much of the demonstration was carefully staged, and the robots may not yet have achieved true autonomy. This led some to question the practical readiness of Optimus, worrying that Tesla might be overpromising on future capabilities to generate hype without a clear path to a truly functional robot. Critics argue that features like serving drinks and walking around add spectacle, but they fall short of proving true versatility or practical home use applications.
Additionally, skepticism arises from the price projection, which Elon Musk suggested could be between $20,000 to $30,000. Given the robot’s current limitations, many wonder if Optimus would offer sufficient value to justify such a high price in the consumer market, especially if its functions remain basic or only semi-autonomous in practice.
While the potential for Optimus to perform repetitive or hazardous tasks could be revolutionary in the future, many on social media see Tesla’s third-generation robot as more of a speculative concept than a concrete, ready-for-market product.
