Title: Elon Musk Accused of Copying Designs for Self-Driving Tesla Taxis
At a recent Tesla event, Elon Musk unveiled the company’s futuristic Cybercab, complete with winged doors and no steering wheel or pedals, along with a new look at its Optimus robots. However, the showcase caught the eye of I, Robot director Alex Proyas, who accused Musk of copying his designs for humanoid machines and self-driving vehicles.
Proyas, known for the 2004 sci-fi film starring Will Smith, took to social media to call out Musk, saying, “Hey Elon, can I have my designs back please.” The Australian filmmaker claimed that Musk’s design team had drawn inspiration from his work, sparking a debate on originality and creativity in the tech industry.
In response to the accusations, Patrick Tatopoulos, the production designer for I, Robot, reposted images comparing the film’s designs to those showcased at Tesla’s event. He pondered whether he should feel honored that Musk found inspiration in his work or if it was simply a case of imitation.
While some online users have questioned the validity of Proyas’ claims, citing similarities to other sci-fi films like Metropolis, it is not uncommon for tech companies to draw inspiration from popular culture. Musk himself has referenced works like The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and Bladerunner in the development of Tesla’s products.
As the debate over originality and influence continues, it remains to be seen how Musk will address the accusations and whether they will impact the future of Tesla’s self-driving technology.
