Tesla Engineers Defect to Sunday Robotics, Potentially Intensifying Home Robot Rivalry

• Sunday Robotics unveiled its wheeled home robot Memo on November 19, 2025, emphasizing efficient object handling over legged designs like Tesla’s Optimus.

• The startup’s team includes key ex-Tesla engineers from Autopilot and Optimus programs, bringing expertise in AI and machine learning.

• Sunday trained Memo using 10 million real-world behavioral episodes collected via affordable Skill Capture Gloves, contrasting Tesla’s lab-based VR methods, at a fraction of the cost.

Tesla engineers flock to Sunday Robotics amid robotics boom. Discover how this talent shift impacts Optimus and Autopilot. Explore Memo’s innovative design—stay ahead in AI robotics trends today.

What is Sunday Robotics and why are Tesla engineers joining it?

Sunday Robotics is a burgeoning startup in the home robotics space, founded in 2024 by Stanford PhD graduates Tony Zhao and Cheng Chi, who unveiled their flagship product, the Memo robot, on November 19, 2025. Tesla engineers are increasingly moving to the company due to its innovative approach to AI training and a more agile work environment, attracting talent from Tesla’s core AI teams. This exodus includes specialists with deep experience in self-driving technology and humanoid robotics, signaling a competitive talent war in the industry.

How does Sunday Robotics’ training method differ from Tesla’s?

Sunday Robotics employs a crowd-sourced data collection strategy using a $200 Skill Capture Glove, enabling hundreds of everyday users—dubbed “Memory Developers”—to record chores in real home settings. This has amassed 10 million behavioral episodes capturing diverse scenarios like cluttered kitchens and variable lighting, according to company statements. In contrast, Tesla relies on controlled lab environments with VR teleoperation suits and motion-capture gear, which, while precise, incurs higher costs and limits real-world variability. Industry analysts, including those from Business Insider, note that Sunday’s method could accelerate development at lower expense, potentially giving it an edge in scalable home robotics. Experts like Zhao, a former Tesla Autopilot intern, emphasize that this human-in-the-loop approach fosters more robust AI models for practical tasks such as folding laundry or navigating obstacles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the key Tesla engineers that joined Sunday Robotics?

Several prominent figures have transitioned, including Perry Jia, who spent nearly six years on Tesla’s Autopilot and Optimus projects before departing in summer 2025. Nadeesha Amarasinghe led AI infrastructure for over seven years, contributing to both programs. Nishant Desai worked five years on machine learning for Autopilot and Full Self-Driving, while Jason Peterson recruited talent for Optimus and robotaxi initiatives. These hires bolster Sunday’s 50-person team with proven expertise.

What impact might this talent loss have on Tesla’s robotics ambitions?

The departure of these experienced engineers could challenge Tesla’s progress on Optimus and autonomous driving, as they were integral to core AI advancements. Elon Musk has tied much of Tesla’s future value to solving self-driving and scaling Optimus for millions of units in factories and homes. While Tesla maintains a vast talent pool, this shift underscores broader industry competition, potentially delaying milestones without direct speculation on outcomes.

Key Takeaways

• Talent Migration in Robotics: At least 10 former Tesla engineers, including AI leads from Autopilot and Optimus, have joined Sunday Robotics, reflecting a hot job market for robotics expertise.
• Innovative Training Approach: Sunday’s use of affordable gloves for 10 million real-world data episodes contrasts Tesla’s lab methods, aiming for cost-effective, diverse AI training.
• Competitive Landscape: Backed by firms like Conviction and visited by entities such as OpenAI and Stanford, Sunday positions itself as a agile challenger in home robotics development.

Conclusion

The movement of Tesla engineers to Sunday Robotics exemplifies the fierce talent competition shaping the future of AI and robotics. With Memo’s wheeled design and crowd-sourced training promising more accessible home automation, startups like Sunday are pushing boundaries that could influence industry standards. As Tesla continues to invest heavily in Optimus and Autopilot, monitoring these shifts will be crucial for stakeholders—consider exploring emerging robotics opportunities to stay informed on this evolving sector.

In the broader context of technological innovation, Sunday Robotics’ foundation by Zhao and Chi—both with pedigrees from DeepMind, Google X, Apple, and Toyota Research Institute—adds credibility to its rapid ascent. The startup’s emphasis on practical, human-centric data collection aligns with growing demands for robots that integrate seamlessly into daily life. Reports from Business Insider highlight how such poaching is not isolated; similar trends are evident across AI firms as robotics investments surge. Tesla, despite the losses, benefits from its established infrastructure, but retaining top talent remains a strategic imperative. Musk’s vision for Optimus, projected to handle diverse tasks from manufacturing to caregiving, hinges on uninterrupted innovation, making these developments noteworthy for investors and tech enthusiasts alike.

Furthermore, the backing from Conviction, a VC firm specializing in foundational AI, underscores investor confidence in Sunday’s model. Private engagements with leaders from OpenAI, Stripe, Stanford, and Figma suggest collaborative potential, fostering an ecosystem where ideas cross-pollinate. This interconnectedness could accelerate breakthroughs, benefiting the entire field. For professionals in engineering and AI, opportunities abound in this dynamic space, where experience from giants like Tesla translates directly to startup agility.