If something has a substantially higher cost than the materials that went into it, it has a high idiot index, according to Elon Musk. High idiot index items are usually overly complicated to manufacture. This is a term he used internally at his companies, according to his biography written by Walter Isaacson.
"This rocket valve costs $50,000 despite it being made of $200 of steel and similar car parts costing $500. It has a very high idiot index."
by iKingRPG September 26, 2023