Elon Musk, the world's wealthiest individual, is facing increasing criticism for his history of overpromising and underdelivering on ambitious timelines for his various ventures. From Tesla's Full Self-Driving capabilities to the colonization of Mars, Musk's predictions have often fallen short, leaving investors and the public skeptical.
Musk's tendency to use phrases like "next year" has become a recurring theme. While he has recently vowed to refocus on his businesses after a dip in Tesla's profits, concerns remain about his track record of unmet promises. WIRED reports that despite Musk's claim of a "pretty good track record," an assessment reveals numerous instances where his predictions proved inaccurate.
The repeated delays in Tesla's Full Self-Driving technology are a prime example. Musk initially predicted full autonomy by 2019, but the deadline has consistently been pushed back. Similarly, the launch of Tesla's robotaxi service, initially slated for 2020, is now expected to debut in Austin, Texas, by the end of June. The Optimus robots, envisioned to perform household tasks, also lack a confirmed launch date. Musk's ambitious goal of landing humans on Mars by 2024 also appears increasingly unlikely. The affordable family car, first promised in 2006, is now delayed until 2026.