Hyundai Hires Ex-Tesla Robot Leader to Speed Innovation

The future of helpful robots just got a major boost as Hyundai Motor Group welcomes one of the world's top robotics minds to its team.

Milan Kovac, who spent years leading groundbreaking projects at Tesla including the Optimus humanoid robot and camera-based self-driving systems, is joining Hyundai as a group advisor and board member at Boston Dynamics. The appointment marks a turning point for practical robotics that could transform how we work and live.

Kovac brings 20 years of experience building AI-powered robotic systems that actually work in the real world, not just research labs. At Tesla, he became known for creating engineering teams that moved fast without sacrificing quality, a rare combination in the complex world of robotics and artificial intelligence.

Hyundai, which acquired Boston Dynamics in 2021, plans to use Kovac's expertise to speed up commercialization of its robot lineup. That includes Spot, the agile four-legged robot already helping inspect dangerous industrial sites, and Stretch, a warehouse robot designed to move boxes more efficiently than traditional systems.

The company also wants to accelerate development of Atlas, the remarkably athletic humanoid robot that has captivated millions with videos of its parkour moves and real-world capabilities. Kovac will help translate that impressive engineering into products businesses can actually purchase and deploy.

Beyond Boston Dynamics, Kovac will advise Hyundai on integrating advanced robotics across its entire industrial footprint. That spans car manufacturing plants, logistics operations, and service businesses where robots could take on repetitive or dangerous tasks while humans focus on more meaningful work.

The Ripple Effect

This hiring reflects a broader shift in robotics from impressive demos to practical solutions. With Hyundai's massive manufacturing infrastructure and Kovac's track record of turning ambitious ideas into shipping products, the partnership could finally deliver on robotics' long-promised potential to make workplaces safer and more productive.

Kovac himself expressed excitement about the opportunity, calling Boston Dynamics "a core company in the robotics ecosystem" that has inspired engineers worldwide. Combined with Hyundai's resources and real-world testing grounds, he sees a unique chance to lead the entire field forward.

The appointment also signals intensifying competition in commercial robotics, with major automakers and tech companies racing to perfect machines that can work alongside humans. Unlike purely digital AI, these physical robots must navigate messy real-world environments while staying safe and useful.

For workers, the goal is robots that handle the boring, repetitive, or hazardous parts of jobs while humans tackle tasks requiring creativity, judgment, and emotional intelligence. Hyundai's investment suggests that future may arrive sooner than many expect, moving from factory floors to warehouses, hospitals, and beyond.