Huan Qiu Wang·2025-06-07 03:45Core Insights - Tesla's Optimus humanoid robot project is undergoing a leadership change as Milan Kovac, the project engineering lead, has announced his departure, with Ashok Elluswamy taking over [1][4][5] - The transition occurs as the Optimus project is entering a critical phase for mass production, raising industry interest in Tesla's robotics strategy [1][5] Group 1: Leadership Change - Milan Kovac has decided to leave Tesla, citing personal reasons and a desire to spend more time with family, while assuring that this decision will not impact the project's progress [4] - Ashok Elluswamy, the new lead, has extensive experience in autonomous driving algorithms and previously served as the director of Autopilot software [4] Group 2: Project Timeline and Goals - Tesla plans to deploy 1,000 units of the Optimus robot in its factories by the end of 2025, focusing on tasks such as battery handling and material transport [4] - The company aims for large-scale production and external sales by 2026, targeting an annual production of 1 million units [4] - Elon Musk has indicated that the capabilities of the Optimus robot, including speed and precision, have significantly improved, with expectations for unprecedented growth rates in the future [4][5] Group 3: Strategic Importance - The advancement of the Optimus project is crucial not only for the robotics market but also for creating an ecosystem that integrates Tesla's energy and autonomous driving businesses [5] - The success of the project under Elluswamy's leadership will be a key indicator of Tesla's AI strategy effectiveness, particularly in achieving the 2026 production goals [5]