Technology leaders often talk about creating the future however few of them do.
Elon Musk demonstrated the meaning of creating the future when he showcased a Tesla line of products that includes Optimus (a humanoid robot), Robotaxi and the Robovan.
Some technology analysts and investors have expressed disappointment for the lack of technical details about the latest products from Tesla. What many have actually missed is the fact that Musk presented an integrated blueprint of the future. I say integrated in the sense that Tesla is not the first tech company to create a robovan or even a humanoid robot. Amazon has developed the Zoox which is a form of a robovan and Xiaomi has developed CyberOne, a humanoid robot.
Tesla, however, developed all these product categories under one roof, an integrated product portfolio of robots. What Elon Musk unveiled at the We,Robot event is what can be described as the robotic future. It was a blueprint of what the next 10 to 20 years could feel and look like.
Elon Musk envisages a future where transportation will be robotic. He unveiled two products that may take us there, the Robotaxi (CyberCab) and the Robovan. Both of them have no steering wheel. The Robovan looks like a train diesel engine from the art deco era, and is designed to carry up to 20 passengers.
They will operate more like an Uber and AirBnB services. You can enjoy transportation services without the need to own a car. As a user you can request a ride that will come without a driver. During the presentation Elon Musk indicated that he believes that these vehicles could change how cities are designed as there will be a need for less vehicle parking.Musk said that he wants to reshape urban spaces, transforming parking lots into parks.
On paper, it’s a lovely vision of a future defined by sleek, autonomous vehicles and urban renewal that will start in 2026, when the first vehicles will arrive to be hailed by customers who will get magically driven everywhere, he claimed.
As for humanoid robots, Tesla has Optimus a product they believe will become a human companion and do some repetitive and tedious work.
During the We.Robot presentation the Optimus robot was showcased offering drinks to guests, assisting with carrying groceries and watering plants.
Elon Musk may have not delivered a product that investors need for quick returns.
He unveiled products that may shape the future of transportation and how we work.
When Tesla cybercab and robavan become available they will reshape the meaning of owning a vehicle. Owners of robotic vehicle could use them for personal reasons and business. Robots may become our replicas that carry out our work in our absence.
It is my view that what Elon Musk presented is less about about a product, but more about an economic system.
He may single handedly change the way we work and how we move around.
Wesley Diphoko is a technology analyst. He has been operating at the intersection of technology and media as the Editor-In-Chief of FastCompany (SA) magazine. You can follow him on X via: @WesleyDiphoko
BUSINESS REPORT