The Truth Behind Tesla's Humanoid Robot Show: Tech Demo or Hype?

The Truth Behind Tesla's Humanoid Robot Show: Tech Demo or Hype?Elon Musk's unveiling of Optimus, the Tesla humanoid robot, at the company's autonomous taxi event sparked widespread discussion on social media. The video showcased Optimus dancing, conversing with guests, playing rock-paper-scissors, and even pouring drinks

The Truth Behind Tesla's Humanoid Robot Show: Tech Demo or Hype?

Elon Musk's unveiling of Optimus, the Tesla humanoid robot, at the company's autonomous taxi event sparked widespread discussion on social media. The video showcased Optimus dancing, conversing with guests, playing rock-paper-scissors, and even pouring drinks. However, it later came to light that these robots were not fully autonomous but remotely controlled by operators behind the scenes. This revelation cast a shadow over Musk's robotics demonstration, raising the question of whether Tesla was engaging in another instance of tech hype.

The video released during the event showcased Optimus's impressive agility and interactivity. It was shown dancing to music, engaging in conversations with guests, and even performing simple tasks like playing rock-paper-scissors and pouring drinks. However, according to an individual who spoke with Tesla engineers at the event, all of the robot's responses were controlled by operators behind the scenes, a fact that Musk did not explicitly mention to the audience.

Tech communicator Robert Scoble took to social media to call out this deception, stating, "This is not pure AI." He pointed out that the human control behind Tesla's robot demonstration created a discrepancy between audience expectations and reality.

Remotely controlled robots are actually not a new technology. They were developed as early as the 1940s and have been used in various fields. In the 1960s, Walt Disney even utilized remote control technology to showcase realistic robotic effects at world fairs and Disney theme parks.

However, Disney never attempted to mislead audiences with remote control their goal was to create a captivating performance. Musk, on the other hand, chose to conceal the human control behind his robot demonstration during Thursday's event, leading to criticism and frustration from many viewers on social media.

This isn't the first time Musk has been accused of tech hype. Back in 2021, when Tesla first showcased its Optimus prototype, it was discovered that it was merely a person dressed in a robotic suit. Similar incidents occurred in the late 1950s, with the RCA-Whirlpool "Miracle Kitchen" being a prime example. The kitchen displayed a robot seemingly working autonomously, but it was actually controlled by a person in an adjacent room.

The "Miracle Kitchen" caused a sensation at the 1959 US National Exhibition in Moscow. At the time, both the United States and the Soviet Union were attempting to improve relations, and this cultural exchange became a highlight of the Cold War era. The US National Exhibition featured everything from fashion shows to films about American life. But the real eye-catcher was the kitchen, which seemed to showcase advanced technology, including a central computer with push-button controls and an autonomous robot that resembled a Roomba prototype.

However, the Americans never mentioned the robot's autonomy. The video host at the time said, "What you see coming out of the wall is the automatic floor cleaner. It is completely independent and navigates itself to any corner of the kitchen." However, this wasn't the case.

In 2015, a designer named Joe Maxwell revealed the truth behind the "Miracle Kitchen." He explained that the company had set up a two-way mirror, with someone sitting behind it controlling the vacuum cleaner and dishwasher using radio waves. This revealed that the "Miracle Kitchen" was simply a publicity stunt aimed at showcasing American technological prowess and gaining an advantage during the Cold War.

Musk's robot demonstration on Thursday bears a striking resemblance to the tech exhibition of the late 1950s. The Americans tried to show the Soviets that American capitalism was a superior system capable of producing amazing consumer products, even computers and advanced robots.

However, it was all for propaganda, orchestrated with the help of the CIA, the RAND Corporation, and major corporations. Musk's Thursday presentation faces similar accusations. Some investors believe that the presentation lacked concrete details and that the timelines for autonomous taxis and Optimus robots are too far off.

Musk often thrives on hype surrounding technologies that haven't been realized yet. When the hype fades, people realize that he hasn't delivered anything truly impressive, and by then, he's already found another new gimmick to flaunt before Wall Street.

For instance, Musk once planned to bring a hyperloop project to cities like Chicago and Las Vegas, featuring 16 autonomous vehicles traveling at speeds of 240 kilometers per hour. But ultimately, what Musk delivered was a regular Tesla car in a tunnel under Las Vegas, driven by a human at a speed of only 56 kilometers per hour.

Musk's robot demonstration has raised concerns about tech hype. As we strive for technological advancement, we must maintain rationality and avoid being blinded by excessive hype. Only by staying grounded can we achieve genuine technological breakthroughs.