By this he means that the artificial being will be able to perform all kinds of tasks in factories, but also inside the home. In fact, the introductory video showed him watering plants, carrying boxes, and doing various everyday tasks. It was also reported that its production will be mass, which will reduce its cost to an initial price of less than 20 thousand dollars. “It is really a fundamental transformation of civilization as we know it.”, he stated bluntly.
So it seems! Initial expectations indicate that these artificial beings will be available within three to five years. To guarantee their optimal performance before going on the market, they will be subjected to a trial period in the South African car factories. It seems like a logical step in technological evolution, but the move has not been viewed favorably by technocrats or by the bulk of society.
Other priorities
Elon Musk has always been a controversial individual, but if there is something that has been applauded for him, it is his contributions to the development of the electric vehicle. It is estimated that transportation is responsible for 30% of global carbon emissions and that 70% of these come from cars. For this reason and given the reluctance of the authorities to seek alternative energy sources to fossil fuels, many trusted that the popularization of hybrid and electric cars would be the solution for our subsistence.
The situation could change now that Tesla seems to have found a new approach. To be fair, the new distribution of the auto company’s workforce was not discussed at the Optimus presentation, but there are many who fear the worst. It is clear that robotic development, newer and more media, has become a new priority for the businessman, to the extent that some question whether he will eventually end up abandoning this career.
And if a businessman with the weight of Elon Musk does it, how long would it take for other competitors to do the same? Something truly disturbing if we consider that our future is what is at stake.
Functionality or spectacularity
Let’s put aside the fears aroused by science fiction, many of which are carried out by humanoid robots. In real life, machines must be built with functionality in mind, which does not necessarily involve human limbs or features. This is how countless technocrats around the world consider it, who are convinced that the obsession with androids only hinders technological development by putting unnecessary obstacles in the way.
The arms are not a problem since for decades they have operated as clamps, this is not the case with the legs that limit mobility and balance. This could be solved with wheels or tapes, but at the cost of a look closer to ours. The big dilemma is, is there really a need for machines to look like us?
If it is about games of mirrors, none like the imitation of the face. The initial Optimus prototype is not the best exponent of this, but let’s not rule out that this will change in the near future, with the gynoid Sophia being the great rival to beat. Those responsible for these inventions have reiterated that the goal is to ensure that people feel comfortable with the machines, which ends up being complicated by a Disturbing Valley that invariably generates feelings of rejection. Will this feeling change over time? Perhaps one day, but for mere psychology, it seems difficult for these feelings of bewilderment to be completely eradicated.
Optimus is undoubtedly an important step towards a more technological future. But is it really the breakthrough we need right now? Time will tell if Elon Musk was right.