logo
Tesla's head of Optimus humanoid robot programme exits company

Tesla's head of Optimus humanoid robot programme exits company

The Star6 hours ago

Milan Kovac, the head of engineering for Optimus, informed colleagues on Friday that he is departing effective immediately, said the person, who asked not to be identified discussing private information. —/AFP
The leader of Tesla Inc.'s Optimus program is leaving the company, according to a person familiar with the matter, injecting uncertainty into the humanoid robot effort that Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk sees as a significant part of its future business.
Milan Kovac, the head of engineering for Optimus, informed colleagues on Friday that he is departing effective immediately, said the person, who asked not to be identified discussing private information. Ashok Elluswamy, who leads Tesla's Autopilot teams, will take over responsibility for Optimus, the person said.
Kovac, Elluswamy and Musk didn't respond to requests for comment.
Kovac subsequently confirmed his departure on X, calling it "the most difficult decision' of his life and citing a desire to spend more time with family.
"My support for @elonmusk and the team is ironclad,' he said in the tweet. "I've got entire faith in them pushing Optimus to the next level, together with the broader Tesla AI/engineering & production teams. My departure now will not change a thing.'
Musk praised Kovac and Elluswamy in a June 2 social media post as two "key people' in the company's artificial intelligence operations who "have been there from the beginning.'
Musk is increasingly betting Tesla's future on robotics, along with artificial intelligence and driverless cars, as the traditional electric-vehicle business faces challenges. The automaker's sales have cratered in key markets due to lukewarm demand and a consumer backlash over the CEO's political activity. This week, Musk's relationship with President Donald Trump erupted into a public feud, raising further risks for Tesla on the regulatory front.
Tesla drew attention in October when it used Optimus prototypes to tend bar and interact with guests at a flashy event in the Los Angeles area to generate investor enthusiasm for upcoming products. Bloomberg reported afterward that humans were used to remotely control some capabilities of the robots.
Musk has said Optimus, which would handle many household tasks, could be "the biggest product ever of any kind.' The robots could eventually be available to consumers for US$20,000 (RM84,719) to US$30,000 (RM127,079) each, Musk has said.
The robot's capabilities have long been closely watched by investors, even if the product's launch timing remains uncertain. Observers noted in 2022 when an early prototype had to be carried by people on stage.
Brett Winton, chief futurist of Ark Investment Management, a sizeable investor in Tesla, said the firm doesn't factor Optimus directly into its five-year model for the company currently. It does monitor the robot's developments and the rapid acceleration of the sector and its potential market impact.
"Elon Musk is not an easy person to work for, I think we can all say that with some assurance, and it's because he drives people hard,' Winton said in an interview on Bloomberg Television on Friday after Bloomberg published the report of Kovac's departure.
"He is not satisfied by 'Oh, we'll get this done six months from now. He wants it done within the next 24 hours, and that drives his team into a maniacal sense of urgency, which is what you need when you are trying to make a dent,' Winton added.
On the most recent Tesla earnings call, Musk said he expects to have thousands of Optimus robots working in Tesla's own facilities by the end of this year. He also predicted Tesla will be able to build millions of units per year by the end of the decade. – Bloomberg

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

PR Resources enhances capabilities with coconut processing facility in Fujian, China
PR Resources enhances capabilities with coconut processing facility in Fujian, China

The Sun

time37 minutes ago

  • The Sun

PR Resources enhances capabilities with coconut processing facility in Fujian, China

PETALING JAYA: PT Resources Holdings Bhd (PTRB), which is involved in the processing and trading of frozen seafood products as well as trading of meat and non-meat products, has established a coconut processing facility under its wholly owned subsidiary, Fujian HJS International Holdings Co Ltd. The facility is located in the China-Indonesia Food Industrial Park in Fuqing City, Fujian Province, China. PTRB is the first wholly foreign-owned enterprise to set up a coconut processing operation within the park and in China. With this development, the group is broadening their food processing capabilities to include coconut-based products. The new facility is equipped to produce a wide range of value-added products such as frozen coconut water, frozen coconut milk, desiccated coconut, and other derivatives, capturing the complete potential of the coconut fruit. The group is investing about RMB29 million (RM17 million) for the facility. This investment is financed entirely with internally generated funds. Trial production is under way, and commercial operations are expected to commence by the middle of this month. In the initial phase, the group will focus on supplying frozen and dried coconut products to business-to-business (B2B) customers such as food and beverage (F&B) manufacturers within Fujian Province and nearby regions. Fujian is strategically positioned as one of China's key import and processing hubs for mature coconuts, serving a wide network of F&B manufacturers within a 700km radius of the group's facility. This further enhances the group's logistical reach. According to Grand View Research, China accounted for 10.2% of the global coconut product market in 2022, generating a revenue of US$2.1 billion. The China market is projected to grow to US$3.6 billion by 2030 and China is expected to remain a key player in the Asia-Pacific region. PTRB managing director Heng Chang Hooi said: 'We are optimistic about the growing demand for coconut-based products in China, supported by its large population of 1.4 billion, rising interest for plant-based diets, and increasing demand for dairy alternatives. The popularity of coconut milk in coffee chains and specialty beverage outlets reflects this trend. There is also a surge in demand for coconut water and coconut milk, attributed to greater health awareness and preference for natural, low-sugar beverages.' Additionally, he said, coconut-based dairy alternatives such as coconut yogurt are gaining popularity, with brands like Yeyo on Tmall and in retail outlets such as City Super, BHG, and ALDI. Beyond the F&B segment, coconut by-products such as coconut shells have industrial use, including in the production of activated carbon for airpurifiers. Heng said, 'PTRB is actively exploring B2B collaborations with Chinese distributors and manufacturers, including opportunities for private-label production and OEM services as part of our localisation strategy. We also aim to leverage on Fujian's export infrastructure to access Asean markets, and will participate in trade exhibitions such as the China Food and Drinks Fair.' On the supply side, PTRB is in the process of securing consistent supplies of mature coconuts from Indonesia, one of the world's leading coconut producers. These arrangements will ensure a steady supply of coconuts to meet the anticipated demand, Heng said.

United States and China begin high-level key trade talks in London
United States and China begin high-level key trade talks in London

The Star

timean hour ago

  • The Star

United States and China begin high-level key trade talks in London

(FILES) This file handout photograph released by The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs or Swiss Foreign Ministry (FDFA) on May 14, 2025 shows China's Vice Premier He Lifeng (R) gesturing next to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent prior to a meeting to discuss trade relations and tariffs, in Geneva, on May 10, 2025. China and the United States began a new round of trade talks in London on June 9, 2025 Beijing's state media reported, as the world's two biggest economies seek to shore up a shaky truce after bruising tit-for-tat tariffs. The two sides are meeting in the historic Lancaster House, run by the UK Foreign Office, following a first round of talks in Geneva last month. -- AFP LONDON (AFP): China and the United States began a new round of trade talks in London on Monday, Beijing's state media reported, as the world's two biggest economies seek to shore up a shaky truce after bruising tit-for-tat tariffs. The two sides are meeting in the historic Lancaster House, run by the UK Foreign Office, following a first round of talks in Geneva last month. Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng was again heading the team in London. Chinese state news agency Xinhua reported the start of the talks. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer are leading the US delegation, President Donald Trump said Friday. "The meeting should go very well," Trump said on his Truth Social platform. His press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, told Fox News on Sunday: "We want China and the United States to continue moving forward with the agreement that was struck in Geneva." While the UK government reiterated that it was not involved in the discussions, a spokesperson said: "We are a nation that champions free trade." UK authorities "have always been clear that a trade war is in nobody's interests, so we welcome these talks", the spokesperson added. - Rare earths - The talks in London come just a few days after Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping finally held their first publicly announced telephone talks since the Republican returned to the White House. Trump said Thursday's call reached a "very positive conclusion". Xi was quoted by Xinhua as saying "correcting the course of the big ship of Sino-US relations requires us to steer well and set the direction". Tensions between the two nations have soared, with Trump accusing Beijing of violating a tariff de-escalation deal reached in Geneva in mid-May. "We need China to comply with their side of the deal. And so that's what the trade team will be discussing tomorrow," Leavitt said Sunday. A key issue will be Beijing's shipments of rare earths -- crucial to a range of goods including electric vehicle batteries and which have been a bone of contention for some time. "Rare earth shipments from China to the US have slowed since President Trump's 'Liberation Day' tariffs in April," said Kathleen Brooks, research director at trading group XTB. "The US wants these shipments to be reinstated, while China wants the US to rethink immigration curbs on students, restrictions on access to advanced technology including microchips, and to make it easier for Chinese tech providers to access US consumers," she added. In April, Trump introduced sweeping worldwide tariffs that targeted China most heavily. At one point, Washington hit Beijing with additional levies of 145 percent on its goods, triggering a tit-for-tat escalation as China's countermeasures on US goods reached 125 percent. In Switzerland, after two days of talks, the two sides agreed to slash their staggeringly high tariffs for 90 days. But differences have persisted, including over China's restrictions on exporting rare earth minerals. The impact was reflected in the latest official export data released Monday in Beijing. Exports to the United States fell 12.7 percent in May from the previous month, with China shipping $28.8 billion worth of goods. This was down from $33 billion in April, according to Beijing's General Administration of Customs. - 'Green channel' - Throughout its talks with Washington, China has also launched discussions with other trading partners -- including Japan and South Korea -- to try to build a united front to counter Trump's tariffs. On Thursday, Beijing and Canada agreed to regularise their channels of communication after strained ties. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Chinese Premier Li Qiang also discussed trade and the fentanyl crisis, Ottawa said. Beijing has also proposed establishing a "green channel" to ease exports of rare earths to the European Union, and fast-tracking approval of some export licenses. China is expected to host a summit with the EU in July, marking 50 years since Beijing and Brussels established diplomatic ties. - AFP

Yinson denies buyout talks, confirms chairman in early-stage shareholding discussions
Yinson denies buyout talks, confirms chairman in early-stage shareholding discussions

Malaysian Reserve

time3 hours ago

  • Malaysian Reserve

Yinson denies buyout talks, confirms chairman in early-stage shareholding discussions

YINSON Holdings Bhd has denied being in any discussions with third parties regarding a potential buyout of the company. In a filing with Bursa Malaysia today, the oil and gas services provider clarified that it is not involved in any corporate exercise at this time. However, it acknowledged that its executive chairman, Lim Han Weng, is currently engaged in 'exploratory discussions' with various parties over potential corporate proposals related to his shareholding in the company. 'Given that the discussions are still at an exploratory stage, there is currently no conclusive indication that these would result in a corporate proposal involving Yinson,' the company stated. Yinson assured that it will make the necessary announcement in accordance with Bursa Malaysia's Main Market Listing Requirements should any corporate exercise materialise. The clarification comes after Bloomberg reported that New York-based Stonepeak Partners is in exclusive talks to acquire Yinson in a deal that could value the group at up to RM9 billion (US$2.1 billion), citing unnamed sources. If confirmed, the transaction could rank among Malaysia's largest deals this year. –BLOOMBERG

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store