Tesla Sues Ex-Optimus Engineer Over Trade Secrets
Tesla Alleges Trade Secret Theft in Robotics Program
Electric vehicle maker Tesla has filed a lawsuit against a former engineer from its Optimus humanoid robotics program, accusing him of stealing proprietary technology to launch a competing startup. The complaint alleges former engineer Zhongjie “Jay” Li misappropriated sensitive information about advanced robotic hand sensors to establish his Y Combinator-backed company, Proception.
The Alleged Intellectual Property Theft
According to court documents filed Wednesday, Li allegedly downloaded confidential Optimus project files onto two personal smartphones during his tenure at Tesla from August 2022 to September 2024. The lawsuit claims Li conducted extensive searches about humanoid robotic hands on his work computer while simultaneously researching venture capital funding opportunities in his final months at the company.
The timing raises significant concerns – court filings note that “Less than a week after he left Tesla, Proception was incorporated” and within five months, the startup claimed to have developed advanced robotic hands strikingly similar to Tesla’s proprietary designs.
Proception’s Controversial Technology
Proception’s website boldly states its mission to “revolutionize human-robot interaction by building the world’s most advanced humanoid hands” – technology that Tesla asserts derives directly from its stolen trade secrets. While both Tesla and Proception have declined to comment on the ongoing litigation, the case highlights growing concerns about intellectual property protection in the competitive field of humanoid robotics.
Background on Tesla’s Optimus Project
The Optimus program has faced numerous challenges since Elon Musk first announced the Tesla Bot concept in 2021. After missing initial production timelines, Tesla now plans to begin Optimus sales in 2026. Recent demonstrations at Tesla’s “We, Robot” event revealed the bots were still largely human-controlled, suggesting significant development hurdles remain before achieving fully autonomous operation.
Legal Implications for Robotics Startups
This case represents a significant legal showdown between a tech giant and an emerging startup in the rapidly evolving AI robotics sector. The outcome could set important precedents for intellectual property protection and employee mobility in cutting-edge technology fields. Tesla’s aggressive legal action demonstrates the company’s commitment to safeguarding its substantial investments in robotic technology development.