Tesla’s ambitious plans for its humanoid robot, Optimus, are facing a key leadership shift as Milan Kovac, the head of the program, departs the company. The robotics engineer, who joined Tesla in 2016 and has led the Optimus initiative since 2022, announced his immediate resignation in a post on X, citing personal reasons.

“I’ve been far away from home for too long,” Kovac wrote, explaining that the decision was made to prioritize family abroad. He emphasized that his support for Elon Musk and Tesla remains “ironclad,” signaling a desire to quell speculation around any political or internal conflicts driving his exit. His statement comes at a time when Tesla — and Musk in particular — have faced increasing scrutiny over political commentary and controversial public statements.

Kovac’s exit arrives as Tesla’s humanoid robot, Optimus, remains a central part of Elon Musk’s long-term vision. First teased in 2021, Optimus was revealed in early prototype form in 2022. Musk has since touted its capabilities — including walking at 5 mph, handling delicate tasks like folding laundry, and even cracking eggs — while making bold claims that Optimus could help grow Tesla’s market cap to a staggering $25 trillion.

Despite the hype, Optimus still lacks a commercial release timeline. During Tesla’s earnings call in April, Musk blamed delays on China’s export restrictions on rare earth magnets, which are essential for robotic joints and motors. These supply chain constraints have pushed the project’s timeline further into the unknown, even as Tesla continues showcasing incremental progress.

The leadership handover will see Ashok Elluswamy, head of Tesla’s Autopilot division, take over Kovac’s responsibilities. This consolidation hints at a tighter integration between Tesla’s autonomous driving software and its robotics platform — a direction Musk has long advocated.

Kovac’s departure underscores the immense challenge of not only building a humanoid robot but doing so at global scale, amid technical, political, and logistical hurdles. For now, Tesla presses forward with Optimus — but without one of its most trusted minds at the helm.

🔗 Source: Engadget – The head of Tesla’s Optimus humanoid robot program leaves the company