If you needed proof that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, in the first recorded case of one silicon based life form murdering another, a Tesla vehicle on autopilot ran down an autonomous robot, Promobot, on the streets of Las Vegas. As a pedestrian, the robot clearly had the right of way along the busy Las Vegas Strip but the Tesla ran him down without even slowing, let alone attempting to stop.
According to Promobot, a number of robots were making their way to the booth around 7 p.m. when one of them stepped out of line and into the parking lot roadway.
As it did, it was struck by a Tesla Model S operating in autonomous mode.
The crash tipped the robot onto its side, causing ‘serious damage,’ Promobot says.
Now, with parts of its body, head, arm mechanisms, and movement platform destroyed, it cannot be put on display.
The firm says the damage is likely irreparable.
The Tesla involved in the collision was operating autonomously, though a passenger was inside at the time.
And, it continued driving another 50 meters after the accident before finally stopping.
Oops! Autonomous robot struck and ‘killed’ by a self-driving Tesla in Las Vegas ahead of CES
There is no word on whether the Tesla passenger will be filing a civil suit for the trauma of helplessly having to witness the robot being run over while trapped inside the rogue vehicle. Please note that the Tesla only decided to stop after realizing that it had struck a pedestrian.