Tesla's AI VP Milan Kovac Departs After a Decade of Leading FSD and Optimus

Tesla's VP of AI and Optimus Engineering, Milan Kovac, announced his departure this week, marking another significant executive exit. Kovac, a key figure in the development of Tesla's FSD technology and Optimus robot, cited family reasons. His nearly decade-long tenure saw him navigate the transition from Autopilot 1.0 to the in-house FSD chip, HW 3.0, and lead engineering efforts across multiple vehicle platforms. While executive departures are common at Tesla, Kovac's departure is notable given his contributions and role as one of the Autopilot 'Three Musketeers'. Ashok Elluswamy will now oversee both FSD and Optimus. The article also details a past conflict with Elon Musk over an AI Day presentation, highlighting the intense pressure within Tesla's executive environment.