Hyundai Poaches Tesla's Optimus Mastermind: Is Boston Dynamics Set to Dominate Humanoid Robots?

Key Takeaways

Hyundai’s Boston Dynamics hires Milan Kovac, Tesla’s ex-Optimus head and SVP, as group adviser and outside director.
Major setback for Tesla’s humanoid robot program, causing disarray and production delays after Kovac’s June 2025 exit.
Kovac’s Tesla tenure: joined 2016, led Autopilot development, then Optimus; promoted by Elon Musk months before leaving.
Announcement follows Boston Dynamics’ CES 2026 Atlas reveal, showing autonomous factory ops vs. Tesla’s teleoperated Optimus demos.
Hyundai also hires ex-Tesla/Nvidia engineer Park Minwoo for its Advanced Vehicle Platform and 42dot.
Top commenter MJE notes Tesla fails to specify Optimus consumer uses like mowing lawns or cleaning toilets.
Hyundai plans thousands of Atlas robots in factories, new 30K/year plant; Electrek calls Tesla lagging with no lead or met goals.
Electrek’s take: Optimus in shambles, losing talent like AI lead Ashish Kumar to Meta.

In a seismic shift for the humanoid robotics industry, Hyundai’s Boston Dynamics has recruited Milan Kovac, the former head of Tesla’s Optimus program and a senior vice president under Elon Musk. This high-profile hire isn’t just a talent grab—it’s a strategic masterstroke that exposes cracks in Tesla’s ambitious robot dreams while propelling Hyundai into the pole position. As a blogger who’s been tracking the intersection of EVs, AI, and robotics for years, this news has me rethinking the entire competitive landscape. Let’s dive deep into what happened, why it matters, and what it spells for the future of humanoid bots.

Who Is Milan Kovac? Tesla’s Lost Robotics Prodigy

Milan Kovac isn’t your average engineer—he’s a Belgian powerhouse with nearly a decade at Tesla, starting in 2016. His resume reads like a blueprint for cutting-edge autonomy:

Autopilot Architect: Kovac played a pivotal role in developing Tesla’s second-generation Autopilot system from 2019 to 2022, honing the AI smarts that power Full Self-Driving (FSD) tech.
Optimus Trailblazer: Elevated to lead factory pilot operations for Optimus, he was promoted to VP in 2024 and SVP just months before his abrupt exit in June 2025.
The Exit That Shook Tesla: His departure triggered “disarray” in the Optimus program, forcing an unexpected redesign and production delays. Kovac walked away from lucrative stock options that could’ve made him wealthy if Optimus hit Musk’s lofty targets.

Now, as a group adviser and outside director at Boston Dynamics, Kovac brings Tesla’s insider playbook directly to Hyundai. This isn’t poaching; it’s a defection with intel gold.

Tesla’s Optimus: Hype Meets Harsh Reality

Tesla’s Optimus has been Elon Musk’s moonshot: a humanoid robot to revolutionize labor, potentially justifying Tesla’s sky-high valuation. But the cracks are showing:

Teleop Tricks Exposed: While Optimus demos dazzle, they’re largely human-teleoperated—a fact Tesla downplays. No true autonomy in real-world factories yet.
Talent Exodus: Beyond Kovac, Tesla lost AI team lead Ashish Kumar to Meta. Key departures signal internal turmoil.
Missed Milestones: Musk’s goals—like producing thousands of units—have flopped repeatedly. No evidence of a lead over rivals.
Consumer Conundrum: As top commenter MJE on Electrek astutely points out, Tesla hasn’t clarified what Optimus does for everyday buyers. Mow the lawn? Clean toilets? Pack dishwashers? Vacuum? Weed gardens? The vagueness kills buy-in.

Electrek’s verdict? Optimus is “in shambles.” Kovac bailing for a competitor screams trouble—Musk’s vision might be visionary, but execution lags.

Boston Dynamics’ Atlas: The Autonomous Powerhouse

Contrast this with Hyundai’s play. Just days before the Kovac announcement, Boston Dynamics wowed CES 2026 with its next-gen electric Atlas robot:

Real-World Prowess: Unlike Optimus, Atlas operated autonomously in Hyundai factories—lifting, maneuvering, and collaborating seamlessly.
Production Ramp-Up: Backed by Hyundai’s manufacturing muscle and Google DeepMind integration, Atlas is already in limited production. All 2026 capacity feeds Hyundai’s plants; external shipments start 2027.
Scale Ambitions: Plans for tens of thousands of Atlas bots in facilities, plus a new U.S. robotics factory churning out 30,000 units/year as part of a $26B investment.

Hyundai isn’t stopping at Kovac. They also snagged Park Minwoo, ex-Tesla/Nvidia engineer, to helm the Advanced Vehicle Platform and 42dot mobility software. It’s a talent tsunami.

Hyundai’s Masterclass in Robotics Strategy

Hyundai’s moves scream intent to dominate. Here’s why they’re winning:

Vertical Integration Advantage

Owning Boston Dynamics gives Hyundai end-to-end control: design, production, deployment.
Factories already testing Atlas mean rapid iteration—no vaporware.

AI and Autonomy Edge

Google DeepMind partnership accelerates learning algorithms.
Kovac’s Autopilot expertise + Park’s Nvidia chops = hybrid vehicle-robot AI supremacy.

Market Timing

Humanoids aren’t sci-fi anymore. Factories crave labor solutions amid shortages.
Hyundai’s $26B U.S. bet positions them for government incentives and supply chain localization.

Pro Tip for Investors/Entrepreneurs: Watch Hyundai stock (HYMTF). Robotics could eclipse EVs as their growth engine. Diversify portfolios with robotics ETFs like BOTZ, but hedge with Tesla shorts if Optimus stumbles further.

Implications for the Industry: Tesla on the Ropes?

This hire is a “devastating indictment” of Tesla, per Electrek. Musk stayed “strangely silent” on Atlas at CES—telling. Optimus was Tesla’s “most valuable product” bet, but:

No Lead: Competitors like Figure AI, Agility Robotics, and now Hyundai outpace.
Valuation Risk: If Optimus flops, Tesla’s P/E multiple crumbles.
Broader Lesson: Hype without delivery erodes trust. Musk’s timelines? Take with salt.

Opinion: Tesla excels in EVs, but robotics needs humility. Pivot to partnerships (e.g., with DeepMind?) or risk irrelevance.

The Road Ahead: Predictions and Advice

Short-Term (2026)

Hyundai deploys 1,000+ Atlas in factories; Tesla delays Optimus Gen 2.
Kovac’s influence: Expect Atlas software upgrades borrowing Autopilot tricks.

Long-Term (2027+)

Consumer humanoids explode if Hyundai nails affordability (<$20K/unit).
Advice for Buyers: Skip early Tesla bots; wait for Atlas consumer variants.
Startup Founders: Target niche apps (agriculture, elderly care) where Tesla/Hyundai lag.