TheI, Robotdirector is not happy about Tesla’s latest announcements. Starring Will Smith, the 2001 hit featured intelligent robot servants rising up against humanity. WhileI, Robot2was never confirmed, the original movie was a box office success. It earned over $350 million on a $120 million budget. Its designs also became a massive part of its enduring legacy, as the inventive and eerie appearance of its robots were stunning. After Tesla announced its own robotic servants, there have been some comparisons between the movie’s machines and Tesla’s.
In a post on his X/Twitter account, directorAlex Proyasspoke out about the potentially stolen designs. He featured all three releases and compared them directly to theI, Robotdesigns:
Proyas compared the Optimus, the Robovan, and the Robotaxi to his original designs. Optimus is similar, butthe Robovan and the Robotaxi are near-identical.Proyas did not directly tag Tesla CEO Elon Musk, but he did ask to have his “designsback”.
What Alex Proyas' Response Means For Tesla
It is hard to argue that Tesla did not directly rip off Proyas' movie. After all,Tesla’s official YouTube announcementis titled “We, Robot”. Even without photographic evidence showcasing that inspiration, the title alone is proof enough. The designs are also incredibly similar, asthe robo-maid Optimusfeatures the same monochrome design, the same white plating, and the same featureless waists. The Robotaxi also looks exactly like the car inI, Robot, as does the Robovan.There are small differences, but the designs take obvious inspiration.
Tesla is not going to want to see more controversy from these announcements. The company’s stock dropped nearly 10% after the initial announcement, representing billions in losses. It may recover over the next week, but the lackluster announcement could spark a decline for Tesla. WhileElon Musk was not Tesla’s founder, he is the public face of the company. A director specifically arguing that Musk stole his designs is not good news for a company that is already struggling to earn positive attention.
Our Take On Proyas' Tesla Rip-Off Complaints
Technological Progress Regularly Takes Inspiration From Sci-Fi
While it is fascinating to see a director going after a company for taking his designs,it is not entirely uncommon for real-world technology to take inspiration from fiction. Even the submarine only came about because the inventor Simon Lake was inspired by Jules Vernes’Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. While Proyas could take Musk to court over the designs, it would be an extreme step, and it is unlikely that he would win. The TeslaI, Robotcontroversy is likely only beginning, as the designs are expected to eventually reach the market.
I, Robot
Cast
I, Robot is a science fiction film directed by Alex Proyas, set in a 2035 world where robots are integrated into society. Detective Del Spooner, played by Will Smith, is skeptical of these machines and investigates a crime he believes was committed by a robot, challenging the established trust humans have in robotic technology. The story explores themes of artificial intelligence, ethics, and the evolving relationship between humans and robots.
