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Tesla’s Optimus robot VP is reportedly leaving the company
Milan Kovac, head of Tesla's Optimus humanoid robot program, is leaving the company amid plans to scale Optimus production rapidly. Tesla CEO Elon Musk aims for thousands of operational robots by year-end, and Ashok Elluswamy will succeed Kovac in leading the project.
Key points
- Milan Kovac departing Tesla after nearly 10 years, primarily with the Autopilot team.
- Kovac led the Optimus program since 2022 and was appointed VP in late 2024.
- Elon Musk predicts 'thousands' of Optimus robots will operate in factories by year-end.
- Ashok Elluswamy to take over the Optimus project after Kovac's departure.
Why it matters
- The departure of a key figure in robotics aligns with the growing trend of AI and automation in various industries.
- Musk’s aggressive scaling plans reflect the broader 2025 IT trend towards rapid deployment of AI-driven solutions in manufacturing.
Kovac's exit raises questions about Tesla's ambitious goals for the Optimus robot, highlighting the challenges of rapid innovation in the tech industry.