Tesla Inc. showcased its artificial-intelligence systems on Thursday amid renewed criticism for Autopilot, its most-talked-about AI-based system, as it unveiled its next big project: a humanoid robot.
Musk jokingly showed off the Tesla Bot at the company's first AI Day. It is a 5-foot-8-inch robot with an LCD screen for a face and can move about 5 mph. A prototype of the robot is expected to be available next year, he said.
Musk stated that Tesla's next step is to build a humanoid robotics robot. He said Tesla was already the largest robotics company in the world, and its cars are basically robots. The robot's sensors, cameras and neural networks will be used by the humanoid. to navigate the outside world autonomously.
We were making pieces that could be used by a humanoid robotics robot so it is likely we will make it. Musk stated that if we don't, someone will, and we want it to be safe.
Musk said that he believes this robot will have a profound impact on the way the world works. He said that while it could be used for basic household chores, the robot is not designed for boring, repetitive, or unsafe tasks. What is the most boring job that people would like to do?
Musk stated that physical labor will become an option in the future. He also said that this will lead to a universal basic income.
Musk stated that he hopes that the robot will not be viewed as something negative and that it could be your friend.
Musk replied, "You'll just have to wait and see" when asked about Tesla's plans to create a consumer market.
Andrej Karpathy (director of Artificial Intelligence & Autopilot Vision at Tesla) gave a technical explanation of Tesla's neural network. He also explained in detail how Tesla uses AI and cameras for predictive learning. Others from Tesla AI explained the technological advances made by Tesla in labeling data, and building a superfast computer to train Autopilot.
Aside from showcasing its technology, AI Day was also a recruitment event where Musk encouraged potential hires to apply to hardware and software jobs at Tesla. He said, "Join our team, help us build this."
Federal regulators launched an investigation into Tesla's advanced driver-assistance program, Autopilot, after several accidents involving emergency-response vehicles parked nearby and emergency scene personnel.
Tesla shares TSLA, -2.255%, ended the regular trading session down 2.3% and were little change in the extended session.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has also opened investigations into Autopilot. Some of these investigations have led to deaths. More than a dozen lawsuits have been filed in the U.S. over Autopilot-related issues.
Two U.S. Senators called for the Federal Trade Commission Monday to investigate whether Tesla misleads customers by exaggerating Autopilot's capabilities.
Tesla has always claimed that Autopilot makes driving safer. However, it also makes it clear that Autopilot requires that drivers be ready to assume control of their vehicle at all times. Musk stated that Autopilot's primary purpose is to prevent crashes during Thursday's presentation and that it does this very well.
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However, critics claim that the system creates a false sense security in drivers and implies self-driving capabilities far beyond what it is capable of.
Musk is well-known for making bold claims that don't always work out. He has promised for years an autonomous Los Angeles-to New York trip. There are also plans to build a fleet robotaxis in the near future.
Musk announced the idea for an AI Day via Twitter in June. He said it would aid with Tesla's recruitment efforts.
In the past, Tesla held similar events to showcase new models or trims. One was held in June to reveal Model S Plaid. Another was held to highlight Tesla's battery technology in September 2020.
