Elon Musk’s Tesla designs are facing heat from I, Robot director Alex Proyas, who claims the tech mogul’s latest creations look suspiciously similar to the aesthetic in his 2004 sci-fi film. Musk showcased new additions to Tesla’s lineup during their “We, Robot” event, which sparked the controversy. But, this wasn’t just about a few robot designs, according to Proyas.
At the event, Tesla revealed futuristic concepts like the Robovan, Robotaxi (or Cybercab), and the Optimus robot. These sleek designs are aimed at pushing the company’s technology forward—but Alex Proyas wasn’t convinced they were entirely original.
The filmmaker took to Instagram, posting side-by-side images that compared Tesla’s latest designs to scenes from I, Robot. “Anyone think I’ve got a case here?” Proyas joked in his post, which was widely shared. It’s unclear if he’s genuinely considering legal action, but his criticism of Musk’s design team was obvious.
Hey Elon, Can I have my designs back please? #ElonMusk #Elon_Musk pic.twitter.com/WPgxHevr6E
— Alex Proyas (@alex_proyas) October 13, 2024
The Filmmaker Criticizes Tesla’s Creative Process
Proyas wasn’t shy about his opinion. “Elon Musk has a design team that isn’t very original,” he wrote, accusing them of simply watching too many sci-fi films, including his own. His own film’s production design, Proyas noted, came from working with a team he described as highly skilled, a not-so-subtle jab at Musk’s crew. In his view, the similarities were too obvious to ignore.
Meanwhile, fans of sci-fi cinema were quick to jump into the debate, some pointing out that Proyas’ I, Robot might have drawn inspiration from earlier works, such as the classic 1927 film Metropolis. Social media users responded with comparisons of their own, suggesting that neither Proyas nor Musk should be calling themselves original.
Ahem *clears throat*
The original humanoid robot From Metropolis, Art Deco era locomotives, and the 1939 Duesenberg Coupe would all like a word. pic.twitter.com/lPwzIAXnl1— Mercer 🏴 (@LudwigvonMercer) October 14, 2024
Musk’s Sci-Fi Inspirations Spark Debate
This isn’t the first time Elon Musk has been called out for borrowing ideas from science fiction. The Tesla CEO has often mentioned how works like Blade Runner and The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy have shaped his vision for Tesla’s product design.
Musk has even called the Tesla Cybertruck something that “Blade Runner would have driven.” In fact, the Tesla event’s very name, “We, Robot,” seems to echo Isaac Asimov’s original I, Robot stories—adding another layer of complexity to the question of who’s borrowing from whom.
But while Musk has been transparent about his influences, the accusation from Proyas suggests that the Tesla team may be crossing the line from inspiration into replication. The debate has added fuel to a broader discussion about the role science fiction plays in shaping real-world technology.
Production Designer Weighs In
Patrick Tatopoulos, who served as the production designer for I, Robot, chimed in on the issue as well. He reshared Proyas’ comparison images on his own Instagram, though with a slightly different tone. “Maybe I should feel honored that Elon liked my designs,” Tatopoulos wrote, suggesting that he didn’t take the similarities too seriously, although he still noted them.
View this post on Instagram
Tatopoulos’ response highlights an underlying truth in the world of design—creativity often walks a fine line between homage and imitation. As Tesla continues to push forward with its humanoid robots and autonomous vehicles, the debate over originality might continue to shadow its development efforts.
Sci-Fi’s Influence on Tech Companies
The overlap between tech and science fiction has been a recurring theme in the industry. Musk isn’t alone in borrowing from the genre. Earlier this year, OpenAI faced its own comparisons when critics noted how ChatGPT’s new voice assistant sounded similar to Scarlett Johansson’s character in the movie Her. Altman later clarified that the similarities were coincidental, but eventually, the “Sky” voice was pulled from the assistant.
It’s clear that as AI, robotics, and futuristic design move closer to what was once considered science fiction, tech firms will continue to draw on that fictional universe. Whether intentional or not, the cross-pollination between film and real-world technology is becoming harder to ignore, with creators and consumers alike questioning how much of today’s innovations are truly original.
Last Updated on November 7, 2024 2:34 pm CET
