'I, Robot' director accuses Elon Musk of copying sci-fi film designs

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_{Tesla CEO Elon Musk unveiled new robot prototypes, the much-anticipated self-driving robotaxi (Cybercab) and autonomous Robovan; however, while the sleek edgeless designs may recall his company's signature look, discerning social media users noticed another striking similarity – the futuristic mechanics that resemble filmmaker Alex Proyas' work in 2004's Will Smith-starring I, Robot.}

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_{The eerie resemblance wasn’t lost on Proyas, who took to Musk's X platform (formerly Twitter) to chastise the businessman for allegedly stealing his ideas.}

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_{"Hi, Elon. Can I have my designs back, please?" The Australian director, who has also worked on films such as The Crow (1994), wrote.}

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_{Set in Chicago in 2035, the Oscar-nominated movie I, Robot explores a future where human-like androids perform public service roles, all governed by Isaac Asimov's three rules of robotics, which he first introduced in his story collection that forms the film’s foundation. The plot follows Will Smith's detective character, who is also played by Bridget Moynahan and Alan Tudyk, as he investigates the strange suicide of a founder of US Robotics.}

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_{Musk headlined Tesla's "We, Robot" event on Thursday, which was originally scheduled for August but was delayed to October due to technical adjustments. During the event, Musk presented his Optimus robots, which appeared unmanned but were later revealed to be remotely controlled in real-time. While the Cybercab, with its wing-like doors and absence of a steering wheel and pedals, was the event’s highlight, Musk also showcased the Robovan, a futuristic autonomous vehicle capable of transporting products or up to 20 people. Despite the event’s heavy promotion, it resulted in a significant stock price drop, signaling investor dissatisfaction.}

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_{Proyas is set to begin filming his upcoming sci-fi satire R.U.R. in Sydney, Australia, starting October 21.}

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_{The discussion highlights the significance of science fiction in influencing technological innovation. While cinematic works are often sources of inspiration, Proyas' public outrage brings attention to the need for proper recognition of creative ideas. Musk, known for his admiration of science fiction, has yet to respond to the director's claims.}

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_{The striking parallels between Proyas' films and Musk's advancements have sparked a broader conversation about the intersection of art and technology, with filmmakers like Proyas demanding acknowledgment for the influence their creations have on real-world design}.

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