“Wait, Did Tesla’s Humanoid Robot Boss Just Resign?”🚨
The Tesla Optimus Milan Kovac resignation isn’t just another tech headline—it’s a major turning point for Tesla’s most ambitious project yet.
Here’s something wild: the man responsible for building a humanoid robot that could redefine how we live and work just quit.
And not just any robot—we’re talking about Tesla Optimus, the $25 trillion vision Musk wants to bring to life.
Tesla Optimus Milan Kovac Resignation is buzzing across the internet, and people are asking:
“Why would the brain behind one of the most ambitious tech projects walk away?”
Curious too? You’re not alone.
The Tesla Optimus Milan Kovac resignation has sent shockwaves through the tech world. After years of working closely with Elon Musk, Milan Kovac—the lead behind Tesla’s humanoid robot dream—has unexpectedly stepped down. But why? And what does it mean for the Tesla Optimus project?
After analyzing everything across the internet and gathering real-world insights, the Bhussan.com team shares this friendly, helpful article.
Let’s walk through the seven most important things you need to know about this shocking move.
1. Who Is Milan Kovac, and Why Was He Important to Tesla Optimus?🔍
Milan Kovac wasn’t just another engineer—he was the heart of the Optimus humanoid robot project at Tesla.
Before leading this effort, Kovac played a major role in the Tesla Autopilot division and gained Elon Musk’s trust by producing results.
His Timeline at Tesla:
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Joined in 2016 as an automation engineer
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Transitioned to Autopilot & AI
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Became VP of Tesla Optimus in 2024
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His leadership turned Musk’s sci-fi ambitions into a walking, sensing robot, Optimus.
Despite the Tesla Optimus Milan Kovac resignation, the project continues full speed ahead. Tesla’s leadership is determined to stick to its roadmap, proving that this humanoid robot vision doesn’t rest on one man alone.
🔗 External Source: Tesla AI Day – Optimus Announcement
2. Why Did Milan Kovac Resign from Tesla Optimus?🧳
Milan’s exit came as a surprise, even to many within Tesla.
His reason?
“Spending more time with family abroad.”
It’s the go-to explanation for many high-profile exits. But tech insiders are speculating—could it be burnout, boardroom tension, or even a shift in vision?
Still, the farewell tweet was kind, thanking Musk:
“You’ve taught me how to separate signal from noise and shown me the power of resilience.”
And Musk “❤️” liked it—so no public drama, at least.
🔗 Source: Milan Kovac Farewell Tweet on X (formerly Twitter)
3. What Happens to Tesla Optimus Now?🧠
Here’s the good news: Tesla Optimus isn’t stopping. In fact, it’s revving up.
Optimus Right Now:
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Walks, balances, and lifts
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Can operate in controlled environments (like Tesla factories)
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Is getting smarter through Tesla’s Dojo Supercomputer
The robot is still in the development phase, but Elon wants it to hit factory floors in 2025.
Tesla’s Roadmap for Optimus:
| Year | Development Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Factory deployment begins |
| 2027 | AI-enabled domestic pilots |
| 2030 | Consumer-ready models sold globally |
4. Who’s Replacing Milan Kovac?👨💻
With Kovac gone, Ashok Elluswamy—Tesla’s AI lead—is now in charge of Optimus.
Ashok is known for:
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Leading Full Self-Driving (FSD)
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Designing Tesla’s AI stack
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Building the Dojo training system
This suggests a shift toward even more software-first development in Optimus. If Kovac was the body, Ashok is the brain.
🔗 External Source: Tesla AI & Robotics Job Page
5. What’s the $25 Trillion Opportunity Kovac Left Behind?💸
Elon Musk believes that humanoid robots could:
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Replace labor in factories
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Assist in homes
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Handle dangerous tasks
He’s even called it “more important than Tesla’s vehicles.”
That’s why Tesla Optimus is being called a $25 trillion opportunity—a revolution in labor, automation, and human productivity.
6. Pros and Cons of This Leadership Shift📊
While the resignation of Milan Kovac from Tesla Optimus might seem like a setback, it could also be a turning point. Let’s weigh the pros and cons of the Tesla Optimus Milan Kovac resignation and its impact on the AI robotics timeline.
Here’s what we’re dealing with:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| New AI expertise from Ashok | Loss of mechanical insight from Kovac |
| Refreshed team perspective | Mid-project leadership change |
| Reinforced Tesla’s software-first strategy | Uncertainty around timelines |
7. What Does This Mean for You, Me, and the Future?
Milan Kovac’s resignation is big—but it’s not the end of the dream.
Tesla has the tech, the talent, and—let’s face it—the wild ambition to make Optimus happen.
Will Optimus ever be in our homes?
That’s the big question.
If Tesla can pull it off, you may one day say,
“Hey Optimus, make my coffee.” ☕
…Instead of doing it yourself.
Whether you’re thrilled or terrified, the humanoid AI era is closer than you think.
30+ FAQs About Tesla Optimus Milan Kovac Resignation📚
1. Who is Milan Kovac?
Milan Kovac was the head of Tesla’s Optimus humanoid robot project. He previously worked on Tesla’s Autopilot and AI systems before leading one of Elon Musk’s most ambitious ventures.
2. What is the Tesla Optimus project?
Tesla Optimus is a humanoid robot project aimed at automating physical tasks, both in factories and potentially in homes. Musk believes it could be a $25 trillion industry in the future.
3. Why did Milan Kovac resign from Tesla?
Officially, Kovac said he stepped down to spend more time with family abroad. However, insiders believe there could be additional reasons, including internal shifts and project fatigue.
4. When did Milan Kovac resign?
He resigned in early June 2025, shortly after a new internal roadmap for Optimus was announced.
5. How did Milan Kovac announce his resignation?
He announced his departure on Twitter (X), thanking Elon Musk and the Tesla team for their support and mentorship.
6. What did Milan Kovac say about Elon Musk?
In his farewell post, Kovac thanked Musk for teaching him how to “separate signal from noise” and praised his leadership.
7. Did Elon Musk respond to Kovac’s resignation?
Yes, Elon Musk liked Kovac’s farewell tweet, but he hasn’t made an official public statement.
8. What happens to Tesla Optimus now?
Tesla Optimus is still moving forward. The project is now under the AI leadership of Ashok Elluswamy, Tesla’s Head of AI and Autopilot.
9. Who replaced Milan Kovac?
Ashok Elluswamy, the brain behind Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) and AI stack, is now overseeing the Optimus project.
10. Was the Tesla Optimus Milan Kovac resignation expected?
No, it came as a surprise to many, especially since Optimus is such a high-profile project.
11. Is Tesla Optimus still on track after Kovac’s resignation?
Yes, according to internal sources, Tesla is still on track to deploy Optimus bots in factories by 2025.
12. Will Kovac work at another robotics company?
As of now, there’s no public information about his next career move.
13. Why is Tesla Optimus considered a $25 trillion opportunity?
Elon Musk believes humanoid robots can replace human labor in industries globally, potentially creating a massive new tech economy.
14. What’s the latest update on Tesla Optimus?
Optimus can walk, balance, and perform simple tasks. Tesla is refining its AI to handle more complex human-like actions.
15. What role did Kovac play in Optimus’ development?
He oversaw both the hardware and early AI integration phases, helping to shape its design, sensors, and movements.
16. Is Tesla Optimus affected by Milan Kovac’s departure?
While leadership changes always have an impact, Tesla’s strong AI and engineering team should ensure continuity.
17. Could this resignation delay the robot’s launch?
Tesla has not announced any delays. The roadmap still points toward limited deployment in 2025.
18. What are people on social media saying?
Reactions are mixed—some are shocked, others are supportive, and some are speculating about internal tensions.
19. How does Tesla Optimus Milan Kovac’s resignation affect Elon Musk?
It’s a PR bump, but Musk remains the central visionary and driving force behind Optimus.
20. What makes Milan Kovac’s resignation such a big deal?
He wasn’t just a team member—he led one of the most futuristic projects in Tesla’s portfolio. Losing him creates leadership gaps.
21. Is Tesla hiring someone to replace Kovac?
Tesla is already expanding its AI and robotics teams. Open roles are being posted regularly on the careers page.
22. Could Kovac return to Tesla?
It’s possible in the future—many Tesla alumni return after taking a break. But nothing is confirmed.
23. What are Tesla’s plans for Optimus after 2025?
Tesla aims to gradually release Optimus for commercial and home use by the late 2020s.
24. What skills did Milan Kovac bring to Tesla?
He brought deep expertise in automation, robotics, mechanical design, and machine learning integration.
25. Did Tesla Optimus ever reach full autonomy?
Not yet. The robot is semi-autonomous and still requires pre-defined environments to operate safely.
26. What was Kovac’s most significant achievement at Tesla?
Helping move Optimus from concept to functioning prototype within two years was a massive milestone.
27. Is Tesla the only company working on humanoid robots?
No other players like Boston Dynamics, Figure AI, and Agility Robotics are also in the race.
28. Could Milan Kovac join a competitor?
It’s possible. His experience makes him a valuable asset for other tech or robotics firms.
29. How will this affect Tesla investors?
Short-term sentiment might dip, but long-term value is tied more to product performance than individual leaders.
30. Is Optimus still part of Elon Musk’s master plan?
Absolutely. Musk calls it “the most important product Tesla is working on.”
31. Where can I see Optimus in action?
Tesla has shared demo videos on its official YouTube channel and showcased Optimus during its AI Day events.
32. Can I invest directly in Optimus?
Optimus is part of Tesla Inc., so investing in TSLA stock is the closest option currently available.
33. How much does a Tesla Optimus robot cost?
No official pricing yet, but Musk previously hinted at a price under $25,000 for the consumer version.
Final Thoughts📥
Milan Kovac’s exit marks a turning point for Tesla. But as long as Elon Musk is behind the wheel—and engineers like Ashok Elluswamy keep innovating—Optimus is still marching forward.
In the end, the Tesla Optimus Milan Kovac resignation could be just one chapter in a much bigger story. Tesla’s vision is far too large to be stopped by the departure of one key figure, no matter how influential.
What are your thoughts?
Would you buy a humanoid robot? Or is this a tech frontier we’re not ready for?