Tesla demands former optimus engineer for alleged theft of robotic secrets

By Hannah Pérez

Tesla accused an exingenero of his Robotics Division, Optimus, of having used key commercial secrets in the development of humanoid robots to launch his own robotics startup.

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• Tesla denounced a former employee for alleged improper appropriation of robotics confidential information.
• The engineer Zhongjie “Jay” Li would have stolen the information just before launching his own robotic startup.
• The case reflects the growing battle between technological companies for advanced control in AI and robotics.

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TeslaElon Musk’s electric car company, has accused a former engineer of the company’s humanoid robotics division, Optimusallegedly having stolen commercial secrets.

The demand, filed this week and first reported by Bloombergis directed against Zhongjie “Jay” Li, who worked in Tesla between August 2022 and September 2024, before founding its own robotics startup.

Based on his accusation on the alleged subtraction of confidential information regarding the development of his humanoid robots, the company alleges in its legal action that Li accessed and transferred critical files, including technical schemes, operating algorithms, and details about materials used in the manufacture of robots.

The exact content of filtered information has not been disclosed, however, legal documents point to advanced plans and patented software, which would put the competitive position of Tesla. The complaint specifically mentions the theft of information from “Advanced Hand Robotics”that Li would have used to launch his startup PROPECTION.

According to the lawsuit, the former employee would have downloaded confidential information about Optimus In two personal smartphones. Besides, during their last months in TeslaLi would have searches the Internet related to “Humanoid robotic hands”On your work computer, as well as inquiries with respect to risk capital and other startup financing sources.

“Less than a week after leaving Tesla, Proception was established“, Says the lawsuit, filed before a federal court in San Francisco.”And in just five months, Proception said publicly to have “successfully built” advanced humanoid robotics, hands that keep an amazing resemblance to the designs in which Li worked in Tesla“

PROCESSa robotics company focused on the development of advanced humanoid robotics and robotic systems, was founded in 2024 with the support of And combinatoraccording to company information. LI is identified as a founder and CEO on LinkedIn.

Accelerated robotic competition

The complaint occurs in the middle of a highly competitive environment between robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) companies. Humanoid robotics in particular has advanced significantly in 2025, promoted by the integration of generative, efficient hardware and the demand for automation in industries such as manufacturing, logistics, health and services.

Manufacturing a mechanism as right -handed as a human hand is one of the greatest challenges in robotics. The most advanced companies in this field, such as Boston Dynamics and Figurestand out for their robots with mobility, interaction and skills capabilities, designed for human environments; while others like Shadow Robot and Barrett Technology They are dedicated exclusively to fine robotic motor skills.

Amid the accelerated competition in the industry, the protection of intellectual property is crucial, since any filtration can mean the loss of years of work and an irrevocable advantage for rivals. The filtration of secrets can alter the balance in the global race for dominating the robotics sector, whose advances are closely related to developments in AI and Blockchain.

Tesla He presented to the public the latest version of his robot, Optimus gen-2at the end of 2023, showing considerable improvements with respect to the previous versions. In addition to obvious changes in its appearance, the robot was also more agile, fast and light than its predecessors, capable of carrying out tricks such as making squats and manipulating fragile objects like an egg with their hands.

The public still waits for Tesla’s robot

Still waiting for a precise launch agenda, Tesla intends that Optimus Perform several tasks, from working on your electric car factories to handling daily tasks such as buying edible and caring for children. In the call of profits of Tesla In January, CEO Musk Elon, He said that Optimus He has the most sophisticated hand ever created.

“My long -term prediction is that optimus will be overwhelmingly the value of the company”Musk said.

Optimus It has remained in development for years, with Musk saying that the robot could begin to be sold in 2026. However, the reports suggest that it still is missing for the product to be ready for the public. In the event of Tesla “We, Robot” in October 2024, Optimus who were still attended were largely controlled by humans outside the site, according to Tech crunch.

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Hannah Estefanía Pérez / Diariobitcoin

Image of Michael Martinelli via Unspash

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