The seemingly autonomous Optimus robots at Tesla’s Cybercab event were actually "human-assisted"

Tesla’s recent Cybercab unveiling event got everyone talking about the sci-fi robots that made a cameo during the event. It turns out the seemingly autonomous Optimus robots mingling with attendees were actually “human-assisted,” as reported by event participants and tech reviewers.

The Verge reports that attendee Robert Scoble learned humans were “remote assisting” the robots, information he received from a Tesla engineer. Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Jonas also noted in a report that the robots “relied on tele-ops (human intervention),” as cited by Electrek.

Popular tech YouTuber Marques Brownlee (MKBHD) highlighted the discrepancy in a recent video, noting that the robots’ conversational abilities seemed “way too fast to be an LLM” (large language model). Brownlee observed that the robots even made occasional human-like mistakes and stutters in speech.

“It’s just a person talking through a speaker,” Brownlee concluded after analyzing footage from the event. He pointed out that different robots had slightly different voices, further supporting the theory of human operators. You can watch MKBHD’s complete video below:

The robots’ capabilities at the event included serving drinks, playing games with guests, and engaging in conversations. However, Tesla has not officially acknowledged the use of human assistance in operating the Optimus robots.

Interestingly, The Verge points out that some robots seemed to hint at their assisted nature. In one instance, an Optimus told an attendee in a stilted synthetic voice, “Today, I am assisted by a human,” adding that it’s not fully autonomous.

 

 

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This revelation raises questions about the current state of Tesla’s humanoid robot development. While the company continues to present an optimistic view of AI-powered robots assisting in daily life, the reality may be further off than initially suggested.

Despite the controversy, Brownlee recognized Tesla’s ambitious vision, stating, “If there is one company that has the best chance of bringing this all to life, it would be Tesla.” However, he advised viewers to maintain a “believe it when I see it” attitude towards the company’s bold promises.

As Tesla continues to push the boundaries of automotive and robotics technology, the distinction between demonstration and reality remains unclear. Most enthusiasts are eager for more transparent updates on the company’s progress.