The terms "innovative" and "disruptive" are often used interchangeably, and Tesla’s new humanoid robot called “Optimus” may be amongst the most disruptive technology we will see in our entire lifetimes.
Innovative products introduce new features, methods, or ideas that improve existing products or solve problems in new ways. Disruptive products fundamentally change the way we do things and alter or replace existing markets, industries, or business models.
Innovative Technology
The iPhone is a popular example of a technology that many saw as “disruptive” in the early 2000’s. During that time, I remember the “Blackberry” being one of the most popular phones. Unlike other cell phones of that time (such as “slide” and “flip” phones), the Blackberry boasted a full keyboard. Furthermore, it had great connection to the internet which allowed busy businesspeople to check their emails and other work correspondence while on the go. The typical businessman of the early 2000’s wore a large phone case on their belt to holster their Blackberry, as if it were the Wild West and their phone was their trusty revolver.
The iPhone changed all of that. The iPhone was a “futuristic” looking piece of technology that appealed largely to the kids and teens of the early 2000’s. It had a touch screen that worked, which was incredible because the touch screens in the early 2000’s had terrible sensory ability (ability to detect touch) and were primitive compared to the iPhone’s touchscreen. The technology just wasn’t there before the iPhone. With this new touchscreen the iPhone was able to have a full keyboard, complex games, and a variety of other user-friendly features all while feeling “sleek” and futuristic, but also reliable.
Eventually adults and businesspeople caught onto these trends and thus, the age of the iPhone begun. But why then is the iPhone considered innovative and not disruptive? After the iPhone was released, people still did most of their processes in relatively the same way. While many industries certainly experience change with the release of the iPhone, these changes were not total displacements of those industries, and work continued with relatively normal competitive conditions.
Disruptive Technology
By the technical definition, a disruptive technology will create new markets or displace new ones. An example would be Netflix making it possible for us to watch many different types of “on demand” movies from the comfort of our own homes. This disrupted “Blockbuster”, a popular store in the early 2000’s that was full of DVD’s one could rent and take back to their own home. With the release of Netflix, customers could now pay a monthly subscription and watch many different movies without ever having the need to make a trip to the store or pay individual rental fees. I personally miss the nostalgia of going into a Blockbuster store as a kid and seeing the DVD’s everywhere, but I have to admit that Netflix and modern streaming services are just too convenient to pass by on.
Tesla’s new robot “Optimus” has the potential to disrupt not just one, but many markets. If you’ve ever seen the movie iRobot, you would remember how robots could cook, clean, and take care of yardwork or even the kids for a short period while the parents were away. I can also imagine robots being mechanics and doing more complicated jobs like car repairs from home. A fully functioning humanoid robot could replace humans for dangerous jobs such as cutting trees on the side of roads or coal mining. Optimus is still in the early stages of its development, but with our growing ability to leverage AI in mechanics, the possibilities for such a technology are countless.
Tags: Tesla, Optimus, New Product Development
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