Hyundai Hires Tesla's Optimus Leader for Robotics Push

The robotics industry just got more competitive as one of its biggest players made a power move.

Hyundai Motor Group announced it has hired Milan Kovac, a 20-year veteran of AI and robotics engineering, as an adviser and future outside director of Boston Dynamics. Until recently, Kovac led development of Tesla's Optimus humanoid robot and helped pioneer the company's camera-based autonomous driving systems.

The appointment connects two robotics powerhouses. Boston Dynamics creates some of the world's most advanced robots, including Spot the agile four-legged robot, Stretch the warehouse automation system, and Atlas the acrobatic humanoid. Hyundai acquired the company in 2021 and has been working to transform these engineering marvels into commercial products.

Kovac brings crucial experience in taking ambitious robotic concepts and turning them into functional systems. At Tesla, he managed large engineering teams that balanced innovation with practical development timelines, exactly the skill set needed to commercialize Boston Dynamics' cutting-edge technology.

Hyundai plans to leverage its massive industrial ecosystem to deploy these robots across manufacturing plants, logistics centers, and service industries. The company sees an opportunity to integrate AI-powered robots throughout its operations in ways that could reshape entire workflows.

The Ripple Effect

This hire reflects a broader shift happening in robotics right now. For years, companies built impressive robot prototypes that wowed at tech demos but rarely left the lab. Now, with advances in AI making robots more adaptable and easier to program, the industry is racing toward practical applications.

Kovac expressed excitement about the potential ahead. He called Boston Dynamics "an iconic company that has inspired countless engineers" and noted that Hyundai's industrial strength creates "an unparalleled competitive advantage" in bringing advanced robotics to market.

The timing matters too. As labor shortages persist in manufacturing and logistics, companies are increasingly open to robotic solutions that can handle repetitive or physically demanding tasks. Boston Dynamics' robots are already being tested in warehouses, construction sites, and inspection operations worldwide.

Hyundai expects Kovac to help speed up not just product development but also the medium and long-term strategy for making robots accessible to more industries. His dual role advising both Hyundai Motor Group and Boston Dynamics could help bridge the gap between what's technically possible and what businesses actually need.

The combination of Boston Dynamics' engineering excellence, Hyundai's manufacturing scale, and Kovac's experience turning ambitious projects into reality could help move the robotics industry from impressive demonstrations to everyday tools that make work safer and more efficient.