On the evening of October 10, 2024, Tesla staged a spectacle at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, California: the much-hyped We, Robot” event. In just eight minutes—or so it felt—Elon Musk presented a dazzling vision of autonomy, robotics, and a radically different future. Here’s a deeper look into what Tesla revealed, how it was received, and what remains uncertain.

The Iron Curtain Lifts: Cybercab Takes the Stage

Elon Musk began by unveiling the Cybercab, Tesla’s novel robotaxi—sleek, compact, and devoid of pedals or steering wheel. Designed as a two-seater, the prototype featured gullwing doors and a streamlined Cybertruck-like aesthetic wrapped in a titanium stealth wrap  Musk touted an anticipated price point below US $30,000, and an operational cost as low as $0.20 per mile

Twenty Cybercabs were deployed during the event, autonomously ferrying guests around the backlot—an immersive demonstration of Tesla’s vision for individualized mass transit. A Tesla fan on site described it as “much smoother” than Tesla’s current Full Self‑Driving (FSD) mode, praising its reaction to obstacles and likening the experience to watching a Formula 1 race

The Unexpected Star: Robovan

Just when the evening seemed focused on the Cybercab, Musk introduced a surprise: the Robovan. This retro-futuristic, 20-passenger autonomous vehicle doubles as a cargo transporter—offering striking versatility Musk floated a staggering operational cost estimate between $0.05 to $0.10 per mile . Though visuals and concept were compelling, production dates and pricing remained elusive

Enter the Humanoids: Optimus Robots Steal the Show

As if robotic autonomation needed another flourish, Tesla revealed a dozen Optimus humanoid robots, walking among attendees. Some served drinks, danced in sync, and even played games—prompting a sense of futurism and friendly spectacle Musk proclaimed Optimus would be a transformative household product, priced at $20,000–$30,000, “less than a car,” with capabilities that would make it “the biggest product ever of any kind

Beneath the Illusion: Reality Check

The futuristic veneer cracked quickly. Reports emerged suggesting that many of the Optimus robots were not entirely autonomous—they were in factremotely controlled by humans, a fact that undermined the event’s authenticity for some observers  One robot even admitted, “Today, I am assisted by a human. I’m not yet fully autonomous”

Critics described these demos as “parlor tricks,” calling out Tesla for staging interactions that exaggerated the capabilities of the technology at hand. A vocal voice from the entertainment world added to the backlash: I, Robot” director Alex Proyas publicly called out design similarities, tweeting: Can I have my designs back please?”

Timelines and Investor Sentiment: Optimism Meets Skepticism

Musk optimistically forecasted that unsupervised FSD—where the car drives itself without human supervision—would begin in California and Texas in 2025, first with Model 3 and Model Y . He also suggested Cybercab production could commence by2026, or “before 2027” But investors responded with caution. Tesla’s stock plunged by 8–11% following the event, underscoring concerns over vague business models, regulatory hurdles, and lack of concrete strategy . Analysts highlighted a worrying absence of clarity on how Tesla would monetize the robotaxi fleet or navigate legal and safety regulations

A Vision in Eight Minutes: Promise vs. Proof

The “We, Robot” event offered a cinematic vision of Tesla’s ambition to redefine urban mobility and domestic robotics. The Cybercab and Robovan hinted at an AI-driven, decentralized transit future. Optimus painted a picture of personal robotic companions—a bold projection of autonomy in everyday life.

But all that glitters is not yet gold. The robots’ human-assisted actions, indefinite timelines, and lack of clear strategy cast a shadow over the promise. For many, the event felt more like a captivating trailer than a fully realized advancement. Tesla dazzled—but concrete delivery remains to be seen.