Long considered a leader in innovation, Elon Musk spent 2025 pushing the envelope. But he may have finally flown too close to the sun. — Reuters
This year we saw robots face planting, creepy wearable tech, interface changes nobody asked for, and advertising schemes straight out of a dystopian movie.
And so as 2025 comes to a close, Inc. took a look at this year’s most notable failures in business and innovation for readers looking for a quick laugh – and a lesson on what not to do.
Humanoid robots flopped (literally)
The race to build the most capable and functional humanoid robot is well underway. Tesla has built the Optimus robots to serve visitors of their diner popcorn, and a Chinese humanoid robot broke records by walking 66 miles (106km) in three days. But even as advances in robotics continue to progress, humanoid robots are far from catching up to their human counterparts.
In a viral video, Russia’s first humanoid robot walked a mere few feet on stage during its demo, only to quickly flop over and be dragged backstage by the event organisers.
Meanwhile in a half-marathon in Beijing, 21 humanoid robots participated alongside 12,000 human runners – only six made it to the finish line. While a robot running half a marathon is still a great feat, the robots were subject to overheating and falls, keeping many from finishing the race.
Meta Ray-Bans embarrass Zuck onstage
During the MetaConnect 2025 in September, the US$1.5 trillion (RM6 trillion) company revealed the Meta Ray-Ban AI glasses. Paired with an accompanying wristband that monitors hand movement, the wearable tech device promised to bring the world of Ready Player One to reality.
According to The Verge, Meta’s Ray-Bans sold more than two million pairs since their debut, with long term plans including the production of 10 million pairs each year by 2026. Yet, like Zuckerberg’s Metaverse, the glasses don’t always work as expected.
During a live demo, the product failed to answer a phone call, leaving Zuckerberg to awkwardly try to fill the silence. In a separate live demo, the glasses failed to guide a chef through a recipe, with viewers laughing through the product’s glitch.
Samsung’s advertising overreach
Those looking to add a new Samsung fridge to their kitchen should prepare to have their food served with a side of ads.
Starting last month, Samsung Family Hub fridges, which are equipped with giant Android tablets on their door panels, started displaying ads inside user’s homes. Not all Family Hub fridges are subject to the update, The Verge reported, but the feature will appear on other types of appliances.
The new feature, is heavily criticised by both media and consumers as the appliance’s high price tag exceeding US$2,000 (RM8,114) doesn’t resonate with users already fatigued with getting targeted by ads elsewhere. For users wanting to opt out, they can delete the screen widget which will then entirely turn off other functions like calendar, weather and news features.
The advertising snafu feels similar to “micro-transactions” which have also received negative reactions from users, like in the case of BMW’s 2022 decision to roll out US$18 (RM73) monthly subscriptions for users to warm up their seats. After much backlash from users who rejected the idea of having to pay fees on top of a luxury car price tag to access features. According to Forbes, the company dropped subscriptions only a year later.
Apple gave us what nobody asked for
Known for its recognisable logo, iconic founder, and distinguishable clean sleek design, Apple has been at the forefront of innovation for decades. While the company had several victories this year, like joining NVIDIA in the now growing US$4 trillion (RM16.23 trillion) club, it also presented some rather questionable offerings.
In September, Apple deployed its latest update to its design language: Liquid Glass. The change to the UI of iOS and MacOS sets out to dynamically reflect and refract its surroundings, but, in practice, diminishes usability and readability for users. Leaning into transparency and 3D effects, the new design renders control buttons to float above content, and buries options in hamburger menus, making it hard for users to navigate their phones.
The Cupertino-based company also released the iPhone Air, their thinnest smartphone yet. While many have called it the company’s most innovative phone since 2017 – it caused a significant public buzz – the phone didn’t deliver on sales, the Wall Street Journal reported, with rumour suggesting Apple is scaling back the phone’s production. For users who did take the leap, they reported issues with battery, sound and camera quality.
Beyond technology, Apple released a rather controversial US$229.95 (RM916) iPhone sock (a sleeve to put a phone in). Despite it being a collaboration with beloved Japanese designer Issey Miyake, the product release received online mockery as the accessory’s utility fails to match its elevated price tag.
AI companions aren’t quite there yet
As America continues to grapple with a loneliness epidemic, it’s no surprise some are turning to non-humans for companionship. That’s where Friend AI wants to position itself.
The San Francisco-based company makes a tiny circular device meant to be worn around a user’s neck, and its purpose is to eavesdrop and offer occasional side commentary. Its advertisements compare the device to real-life friends, suggesting that it can replace those relationships. The company’s subway ads raised a good deal of ire amongst New Yorkers, who tagged Friend’s subway ads with phrases like “AI is not your friend” or “talk to a neighbour.”
“To its critics, the Friend encapsulates much of what’s wrong with the tech industry’s push to incorporate AI into our everyday lives,” CNN wrote.
For those looking for a furrier companion however, a US$429 (RM1,740) AI-powered “pet” guinea pig is now available thanks to Casio. Dubbed the Moflin, the pet doesn’t need to be cared for and occasionally growls at its owner. “There’s something unsettling about a creature with an on-off button and a spine that twists under your fingers,” a Rolling Stones review says.
While it has sold 10,000 units in Japan, it is still unclear how the “pet” will be received in the US. Still, questions have been raised on the AI Pet-human relationship. While the pet won’t die or bite, does it replace what we already know to be real?
“In the end, though, maybe we need that friction to really feel alive, the danger of losing love to actually love,” the Rolling Stones argues.
Elon Musk flew too close to the sun
Long considered a leader in innovation, Elon Musk spent 2025 pushing the envelope. But he may have finally flown too close to the sun.
During his now infamous 130-day stint as head of Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Musk spearheaded dramatic cuts in the federal government leading to five dozen lawsuits.
While the government agency set out to save around US$2 trillion (RM8.11 trillion), according to Politico, DOGE could only account for US$160bil (RM650bil) in savings, and was disbanded eight months ahead of schedule.
Musk didn’t just underperform as a public officer – his companies suffered the consequences of his controversial public persona.
Across the world, Tesla showrooms became the site for protests against Musks’ political involvement, with both his Model Y and Cybertruck models becoming the target of violent vandalism, raising insurance premiums for drivers, and alienating Tesla’s traditionally liberal consumer base.
The backlash manifested in numbers as well. In Europe, Tesla sales have significantly dropped as Chinese competitor BYD gains popularity, while in the US, the EV company’s market share dropped to an eight-year low. According to a recent Yale University study, much of Tesla’s decline can be attributed to Musk’s political stint, resulting in one million fewer Tesla sales. – Inc./Tribune News Service
