The future is coming and the era of robots is upon us — with these words, Elon Musk finally presented his robotic Cybercab and Robovan in the U.S., as well as an update to his robot Optimus. Meanwhile, Chinese companies are challenging Musk by unveiling three humanoid robots identical to Optimus.

Elon Musk unveiled Tesla’s new autonomous vehicles, the Cyber Cab and Robo Van, at a recent event in the US, emphasizing the arrival of the robotic era.The Cyber Cab, a two-seater self-driving taxi, is set to enter production by 2026 or 2027, featuring a futuristic design with no steering wheel or pedals and a projected price of around $30,000. Tesla’s Robo Van is designed to autonomously transport groups of up to 20 people, also lacking pedals and a steering wheel, focusing on passenger comfort.

Musk showcased the Optimus robots, which can perform various human tasks, including serving drinks and caring for children, with plans for over 1,000 units operating in Tesla factories by next year. Chinese companies are challenging Tesla with new humanoid robots, including the Expedition A2, designed for customer engagement, and the Expedition A2W, a flexible manufacturing robot. The new humanoid robot LYY X1, introduced by a Chinese company, features advanced technology for enhanced movement accuracy and energy efficiency.

MIT engineers revealed a smart table prototype called Transform, capable of dynamic surface transformations, aiming to inspire future smart furniture designs. Samsung engineers launched Workn, a scooter with a built-in folding desk, designed to facilitate outdoor work for students and professionals.