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Tesla's Robotics Chief Milan Kovac Resigns: What This Means for the Future of Optimus

Overview
Milan Kovac, Tesla’s Vice President of Optimus robotics, has officially announced his departure from the company after nearly a decade of service. Kovac, a key figure behind Tesla's humanoid robot project, made the announcement on June 7 via a heartfelt message on X (formerly Twitter), reflecting on his journey since joining the company in 2016.

A Career That Helped Shape Tesla’s Future
Kovac began his Tesla career as Director of Autopilot Software Engineering, a role in which he helped scale Tesla’s AI-driven driving systems. In 2022, he transitioned to lead Tesla’s ambitious humanoid robot program, Optimus, as Vice President. His work put him at the heart of one of Elon Musk’s most futuristic initiatives.

“Thank you @elonmusk from the bottom of my heart for your trust and teachings over the decade we’ve worked together,” Kovac wrote. “You’ve taught me to separate signal from noise, to be relentlessly resilient, and to ground everything in first principles. Tesla will win—I guarantee you that.”

Elon Musk responded publicly on X, thanking Kovac for his “outstanding contributions” to the company.

Optimus: Tesla’s Bet on an Automated Future
Tesla’s Optimus project, revealed publicly in 2021, aims to develop general-purpose, AI-powered bipedal robots capable of performing a wide variety of tasks. The robots, internally referred to as “Tesla Bots,” are envisioned to eventually handle everything from repetitive factory work to domestic chores—even caregiving.

According to Tesla’s Q1 2025 investor presentation, the company is on track to initiate pilot builds of Optimus at its Fremont, California, facility next year. The plan includes deploying these bots across Tesla’s manufacturing plants to handle real-world tasks.

At the company’s 2024 shareholder meeting, Musk made a bold prediction: the humanoid robotics program could eventually push Tesla’s market capitalization to an astounding $25 trillion. While he didn’t provide a specific timeline, Musk emphasized that Optimus represents a cornerstone of Tesla’s long-term strategy.

Optimus Capabilities and Competitive Landscape
Musk recently told CNBC that Optimus is currently being trained to handle basic physical tasks such as picking up objects, opening doors, and even throwing a ball. These capabilities, while elementary, are crucial early steps in developing general-purpose robotics that can function safely and effectively in human environments.

Tesla isn’t alone in this race. Several other companies are actively developing humanoid robotics platforms, including:

• Boston Dynamics – known for its agile, mobile robots like Atlas
• Agility Robotics – makers of Digit, designed for logistics and warehouse tasks
• Figure AI – which recently showcased real-time object interaction
• 1X Technologies – backed by OpenAI, working on human-robot collaboration
• Apptronik – whose Apollo robot has been in pilot tests with NASA and commercial partners

Despite intense competition, Tesla’s unique advantage lies in its vertically integrated hardware-software ecosystem and its experience with AI systems used in autonomous vehicles.

Implications of Kovac’s Departure
While Kovac’s exit marks a significant leadership change, it doesn't appear to signal any slowdown in Tesla’s robotics roadmap. The company remains committed to scaling Optimus, and Musk’s continued public support for the project indicates that it remains a high strategic priority.

That said, Kovac’s departure raises questions about who will now lead Optimus and how Tesla plans to maintain momentum in a rapidly advancing field. As of this writing, Tesla has not announced a successor, nor has it issued an official statement regarding Kovac’s resignation.

Looking Ahead
With 2025 set as a crucial year for the pilot production of Optimus, Tesla is entering a pivotal phase in its robotics journey. The next 12 to 18 months will determine whether the company can translate its ambitious prototypes into scalable, useful automation tools that can be integrated across its global operations.

Kovac’s legacy will likely be felt in every line of code and circuit board powering Tesla’s humanoid bots. His departure may be the end of an era—but it's also the beginning of a new chapter for Tesla's most daring innovation yet.