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Hyundai hires Tesla's robotics chief to boost AI, automation efforts
16 Jan 2026

Hyundai Motor Group has appointed Milan Kovac, a former Tesla vice president and expert in autonomous driving and robotics, as an advisor.

He will also serve as an outside director at Boston Dynamics Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the group.

The appointment comes after Boston Dynamics revealed its next-generation humanoid robot Atlas at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) last week.

Role in Tesla's robotics and AI projects
Career highlights

Kovac joined Tesla in 2016 from image-sensor developer SoftKinetic.

He was instrumental in developing the company's Autopilot driver-assistance system and headed engineering for its humanoid robot Optimus.

From 2019 to 2022, he led the development of Tesla's second-generation Autopilot, which used custom chips and vision-based tech, setting a global benchmark in the auto industry.

Kovac's promotion and future plans
Career progression

Kovac was promoted to vice president in 2024 after leading factory pilot operations for Optimus.

He announced his plans to leave Tesla in June 2025.

Hyundai Motor Group has made several high-profile appointments this month, including Park Minwoo, a former Tesla and NVIDIA engineer who will head its Advanced Vehicle Platform division and mobility software unit 42dot.