Milan Kovac leaves Tesla Optimus
Analysis based on 7 articles · First reported Jun 06, 2025 · Last updated Jun 08, 2025
The departure of Milan Kovac, a key leader in Tesla, Inc.'s Optimus program, introduces uncertainty regarding the project's timeline and success, potentially leading to a negative sentiment for Tesla, Inc.'s stock. Investors may also be concerned about the impact of China's export restrictions on rare-earth magnets on Tesla, Inc.'s production goals for the Optimus robot.
Milan Kovac, the head of Tesla, Inc.'s Optimus humanoid robot program, announced his resignation, citing personal reasons related to spending more time with family abroad. Kovac, who had been with Tesla, Inc. for nearly a decade and led the Optimus program since 2022, was promoted to vice president in late 2024. His departure comes at a critical time for Tesla, Inc., as CEO Elon Musk has ambitious plans for the Optimus robot, aiming for thousands of units in factories by year-end and millions annually. Ashok Elluswamy, vice president of Tesla, Inc.'s AI software division and head of the Autopilot team, will take over Kovac's responsibilities. The event also highlights ongoing challenges for Tesla, Inc., including China's export restrictions on rare-earth magnets, which are crucial for robot production.
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