Tesla's Optimus Robot Chief Milan Kovac Resigns to Prioritize Family

Milan Kovac, head of Tesla’s (NASDAQ: TSLA) Optimus humanoid robot program, has announced his resignation. In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday, Kovac stated that his departure is solely for personal reasons. “I’ve been far away from home for too long, and will need to spend more time with family abroad,” he wrote, emphasizing that this is the only reason for stepping down.

Kovac took the helm of the Optimus and Autopilot Engineering division in 2022 and was promoted to vice president in September 2023. Bloomberg News first reported the news, noting that his resignation is effective immediately. Ashok Elluswamy, who currently leads Tesla’s Autopilot team, will reportedly assume Kovac’s responsibilities.

Tesla and Elluswamy have yet to issue an official comment on the leadership change. The move comes as Tesla places increasing strategic importance on both its autonomous driving technologies and its humanoid robot ambitions.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has repeatedly stated that the long-term value of the company hinges on autonomous technology and the success of the Optimus robot. “The only things that matter in the long term are autonomy and Optimus,” Musk told CNBC in May. He previously announced plans to produce thousands of Optimus robots this year, although supply chain issues, including China’s export restrictions on rare-earth magnets, have affected production.

The departure of Kovac marks a significant shift within Tesla’s robotics division at a critical juncture. As the company ramps up efforts on robotaxis and humanoid automation, industry watchers will closely monitor how this leadership change influences Tesla’s high-stakes innovation roadmap.