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3mo ago

Tesla’s Optimus Robotics Chief Milan Kovac Departs as Autopilot Lead Assumes Control

His departure for family reasons follows scrutiny of the program’s remote-control demos, handing leadership to Tesla’s Autopilot head.

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The logo of Tesla is seen on a store in Paris, France, October 30, 2020. REUTERS/Charles Platiau/File Photo
Detail of Tesla's Optimus humanoid robot's hand on display inside the Tesla pop-up store near Shibuya crossing. In April 2025, Tesla opened a pop-up store in Shibuya, Tokyo, strategically located just a minute's walk from Shibuya Station. The store showcases the new Model Y and Model 3, along with the Optimus robot, offering an interactive experience for visitors. This temporary setup aims to boost brand visibility and engage potential customers in one of Tokyo’s busiest districts, aligning with Tesla’s strategy to expand its presence in Japan’s electric vehicle market.

Overview

  • Milan Kovac announced on X that he is stepping down immediately to spend more time with family abroad and emphasized his continued support for Elon Musk and Tesla.
  • Bloomberg reports that Ashok Elluswamy, who oversees Tesla’s Autopilot development, will take over responsibilities for the Optimus humanoid robot program.
  • Critics have questioned the program’s reliance on teleoperation in demonstrations and highlighted supply chain constraints affecting magnet procurement for robot production.
  • Elon Musk has projected that Optimus could generate north of $10 trillion in revenue and elevate Tesla’s market cap toward $25 trillion despite the humanoid market remaining in the low-single-digit-billion-dollar range.
  • Tesla shares have swung sharply this week amid Musk’s public spat with President Trump, wiping out over $150 billion in market value before a partial rebound.