Tesla’s Optimus humanoid robot chief Milan Kovac has resigned, citing family reasons. His exit comes during a crucial phase for the project, with Autopilot head Ashok Eluswami stepping in amid ongoing company challenges.
California | June 9, 2025: In a significant leadership change, Milan Kovac, head of Tesla’s Optimus humanoid robot program, has announced his resignation, citing a desire to spend more time with family abroad.
Kovac shared the news via a heartfelt post on X, clarifying that family commitments alone prompted his decision — not any professional discord. “I’ve been away from home far too long and now need to prioritise family time,” he wrote, while expressing gratitude toward Elon Musk and Tesla colleagues.
Kovac’s departure comes at a critical juncture for Tesla. The company is aggressively advancing its robotics and autonomous technology strategy, with the Optimus project central to its future ambitions. Kovac, a Tesla veteran of nine years, became Vice President of the Optimus Program in September 2024. Under his leadership, the Optimus humanoid robot was poised for mass production this year.
Industry insiders view Kovac’s exit as a setback, especially as Tesla faces external challenges — including China’s recent export ban on rare earth magnets, vital components for robot manufacturing.
According to a Bloomberg report, Ashok Eluswami, head of Tesla’s Autopilot team, will now assume leadership of the Optimus project.
At the same time, Elon Musk is involved in a growing public feud with the United States.
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