Camilla Jessen
The head of Tesla’s humanoid robot project steps down unexpectedly.
Tesla is losing another leading figure at a pivotal time.
Milan Kovac, Deputy Director and lead of the Optimus robot project, has announced his immediate departure after nearly a decade at the company.
His resignation was made public via Elon Musk’s platform X after ongoing leadership churn at the electric vehicle maker.
Kovac was a central figure in the development of Optimus, Tesla’s ambitious humanoid robot.
The Optimus robot is designed to perform tasks ranging from household chores like cleaning and washing dishes to repetitive work in industrial settings.
According to Boosted, Musk has claimed that production of Optimus will begin this year.
Kovac’s exit could slow down momentum on Optimus, especially given his deep involvement in the program’s development.
“I would like to thank Elon Musk with all my heart for his trust and the experiences we’ve had during the decade we’ve worked together,” he wrote.
There’s no official word yet on a successor or how the project will be managed moving forward.
Musk briefly responded by thanking Kovac for his contributions, but offered no further details.
Turbulence at the Top
Kovac’s resignation is the latest in a string of high-profile exits from Tesla’s executive ranks.
The leadership reshuffle comes at a time when Tesla is grappling with slowing car sales and shrinking margins.
Increased competition from both established automakers and new EV startups is tightening the pressure on Tesla’s core business.
In this context, Optimus has taken on outsized importance. Positioned as a potential game-changer for Tesla’s future, the robot is supposed to help the company evolve beyond the increasingly crowded EV market.