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7 Aug, 2015 11:00

Goodbye humans! Tesla's new 'Snakebot' charger slithers into sockets (VIDEO)

Goodbye humans! Tesla's new 'Snakebot' charger slithers into sockets (VIDEO)

Tesla has given us a glimpse into the future, and it seems to involve somewhat creepy robotic arms that look like snakes. A newly-released video reveals the company's new charging prototype, which plugs itself in without an ounce of human assistance.

The video, released by Tesla on its Twitter and YouTube accounts, begins with the charger in an upright position. But after just a few seconds, the figure begins to move just like a snake – and it's a little bit unsettling.

It lowers its body toward a Model S sedan, twisting itself in such a realistic way that you can't help but wonder if it might actually be alive.

The robot manages to find the charging socket, connecting itself with ease and proving that humans are, indeed, becoming more and more obsolete.

The invention doesn't come without irony for Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who has been vocal about the dangers of unsupervised robots and artificial intelligence in the past.

Just last month, Musk signed an open letter calling for the end of an artificial intelligence arms race. The letter was also signed by Steve Wozniak and Stephen Hawking.

However, it seems that even Musk can laugh about the situation.

But the grand reveal didn't come as a complete surprise; the concept was teased by Musk in December, when he said Tesla was working on the snake-like charger “for realz.”

For now, the charger remains a prototype, and no timeline has been set for its possible release.

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