Oh no! Another alien probe

[vorlon13]

From the article:

Oumuamua might be shaped rather like a needle, up to 800 meters long and only 80 wide, spinning every seven hours and 20 minutes. That would mean it is like no asteroid ever seen before, instead resembling the collision-minimizing form favored in many designs for notional interstellar probes.

I would think the fact that the thing is spinning would suggest it is not under any sort of control. And as for it being of a 'collision-minimizing form' that would only work if the pointy bit is facing forward. If it looks like a rock, acts like a rock, then its probably a rock.
It's a pity we didn't spot the bastard a few years ago then we could have built a probe to chase after it. A close up study of an extra stellar object, now that would be mightily interesting.

While I appreciate the sentiment, a rendezvous (or flyby) mission, even with a 20 year heads up would have been extraordinarily difficult. (read that as expensive)

I won't say it would have been 'impossible' but the challenge of it's small size, high speed and 'weird' trajectory would have made getting a probe anywhere near it the most challenging mission ever undertaken. Ideally, the encounter would be preferred to occur closer to earth and the sun for communication and illumination, but the 'rock' had a near 90 degree deflection encountering our inner solar system.

I don't shy away from a challenge, but that would have been a very demanding mission profile. And arranging for a relatively lower speed flyby (makes picture taking easier) of such a fast rock that is apparently less than 1000 feet long, wow, that would tax the technology (and nerves) in a way no other mission to date (or planned) ever has.