Between spectacular technological advances and ethical controversies, Elon Musk is shaking up the sectors of robotics, autonomous vehicles and transhumanism with projects that question as much as they fascinate.
Optimus Gen 2: the new version of Tesla’s humanoid robot
The manufacturer Tesla presented its “Optimus Gen 2” humanoid robot at the end of 2023. On its YouTube channel, the manufacturer unveiled a video highlighting a robot presenting significant improvements compared to “Optimus Gen 1”, presented in September 2022.
The new version of the humanoid clearly knows how to walk, do fitness, dance, and use its fingers to move an egg without breaking it. It also has feet whose geometry is similar to that of humans and a neck with two degrees of freedom.
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Note that Tesla is not alone in the robotics market. The competition is even fierce: Boston Dynamics recently presented its Atlas robot, designed to carry out daily tasks to assist humans. This robot will also be deployed in the automobile production line of Hyundai, majority shareholder of Boston Dynamics.
Figure AI, a Californian start-up also positioned in this sector, impressed the public with its Figure 01 robot, equipped with ChatGPT to hold conversations.
“RoboTaxi”, “RoboVan”: Musk advances his pawns in the autonomous vehicle sector
Elon Musk presented, on October 10, during the conference We, Robotthe updated version of the Tesla “Robotaxi”, named Cybercab. This vehicle contains no steering wheel or pedal, offering seemingly completely unsupervised driving. According to Elon Musk: “You fall asleep at the wheel, you arrive home safely. » Around twenty units were presented in the legendary Warner Bros. studios.
You would need to budget around $30,000 for the acquisition of this two-seater vehicle, because, according to Tesla, more than 90% of automobile trips in the United States are made by one or two people at most. Musk plans to commercialize it before 2027.
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Tesla also unveiled its “Robovan”, a futuristic-looking autonomous bus allowing the transport of more than 20 people. The marketing date for this autonomous bus has not yet been communicated.
Neuralink: the other ambition of transhumanist Musk
One of the world’s first fortunes wants to realize his transhumanist vision, a trend to which many Silicon Valley entrepreneurs adhere.
Neuralink, which has already inserted its “Telepathy” chip (the size of a coin) into the brain of a quadriplegic, has allowed the latter to play video games through thought. However, this result was only fleeting, as the patient quickly lost control of the cursor. This is therefore a first unsuccessful implant for the company co-founded in 2016 by the American billionaire.
Musk aims to use these implants to treat back pain or even restore sight to blind patients.
Before the human implant, numerous animal experiments took place, particularly on monkeys. These practices have sparked strong criticism, with some associations denouncing mutilated or euthanized monkeys.
Human-machine hybridization raises ethical issues: in the event of an accident due to a decision assisted by artificial intelligence, how do we define the culprit? Are there any harmful consequences in the medium or long term on the health of implanted humans? Is humanity inevitably heading towards this man-machine “cyborg” fusion with a view to achieving “augmented man”?
Elon Musk actively participated in Trump’s victory
Musk was a strong supporter of Donald Trump during the American presidential campaign. We are now talking about a real “bromance” between the two men. The boss of Tesla and X is even described as a “real vice-president” by the French and international press. The businessman, who had nevertheless left Trump’s advisory teams after the United States left the Paris agreement, has completely reconnected with the Republican candidate.
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Interviews on their fruits. These donations were very profitable for Musk, Tesla shares having jumped 44% between November 4 and 11.
Musk has every interest in being close to the White House, because in his business, the American state is a main client. For SpaceX alone, contracts with American Defense or NASA are valued at $15 billion.
Donald Trump, now elected, the risk of conflict of interest is extremely likely. The 45th and 47th President of the United States also announced the creation of a Ministry of Government Effectiveness, headed by Elon Musk.
