- Tesla’s stock plummeted following its “We, Robot” event, as reports surfaced that its Optimus humanoid robots were partially controlled by humans.
- Skepticism grew after attendees noted that some robot interactions were not fully autonomous, despite CEO Elon Musk promoting Optimus as a revolutionary product.
- The event’s mixed reception and lack of technical details contributed to uncertainty about Tesla’s autonomous technology, leading to its worst single-day stock decline in over two months.
Tesla’s share price suffered a significant drop following its recent “We, Robot” event, where the company’s Optimus humanoid robot was showcased. The event, held on October 10 near Los Angeles, was intended to boost investor confidence in Tesla’s future products but instead raised concerns about the true capabilities of its highly anticipated robot. Reports emerged that many of the interactions between the machines and attendees were remotely controlled by humans rather than fully autonomous, prompting skepticism.
The Optimus prototypes demonstrated basic functions such as walking independently using artificial intelligence, but other interactions were reportedly facilitated by Tesla employees stationed elsewhere in the U.S. Attendees later posted on social media suggesting that some robots had assistance, with one video capturing an Optimus bartender admitting to being “assisted by a human.” CEO Elon Musk, however, did not address this aspect during his presentation, where he promoted Optimus as a revolutionary product with potential applications ranging from household chores to companionship.
Originally, Optimus was not slated to appear at the event, but Musk reportedly insisted on its inclusion just weeks before the showcase. The rushed timeline left insufficient time to refine the robot’s software, necessitating remote operation for certain tasks. The event also featured the debut of Tesla’s Cybercab robotaxi and a van concept. Unlike the humanoid robots, the self-driving vehicles offered attendees rides without human control, demonstrating Tesla’s ongoing push into autonomous transportation.
Despite the excitement surrounding Tesla’s latest innovations, the overall reception of the event was mixed. Many observers found the lack of technical details and unclear plans for Tesla’s robotaxi business underwhelming. The skepticism surrounding Optimus contributed to a sharp decline in Tesla’s stock, marking its worst single-day performance in over two months. Analysts noted that while the humanoid robot showcased impressive design and movement, its dependency on human input highlighted the challenges Tesla faces in achieving full automation.
While some investors remained optimistic about Tesla’s long-term vision, others questioned the company’s ability to deliver on its ambitious promises. The fallout from the event underscores the broader uncertainty surrounding Tesla’s autonomous technology and the feasibility of its bold product roadmap. With heightened scrutiny from investors and industry experts alike, Tesla will need to prove that Optimus is more than just a futuristic concept and can genuinely operate independently in real-world applications.
