Big shifts in the AI world rarely happen quietly—and this one could shake up both Tesla and the future of home robots.
A bold new robotics rival
Sunday Robotics, a young robotics company, has attracted a wave of former Tesla talent to help build its new home robot, Memo. The startup is stepping directly into the rapidly heating race to bring advanced, AI-powered robots into everyday homes, not just factories.
But here’s where it gets controversial: when key AI and robotics experts leave a giant like Tesla for a much smaller company, does it signal new innovation—or cracks in Tesla’s long-term vision?
Former Tesla staff join Sunday Robotics
Sunday Robotics recently came out of stealth and immediately drew attention for one big reason: its team includes at least 10 former Tesla employees who previously worked on some of Tesla’s most ambitious projects. Several of them spent years contributing to Tesla’s humanoid robot initiative and its self-driving technology efforts, roles that place them at the heart of the company’s AI strategy.
One of the most notable hires is Perry Jia, who spent nearly six years working across Tesla’s Autopilot and Optimus programs before leaving the electric-vehicle maker over the summer to join Sunday Robotics. Another key addition is Nadeesha Amarasinghe, who moved to Sunday Robotics around the same time after more than seven years at Tesla, where he led engineering for AI infrastructure and supported both the Optimus robot and the Autopilot system.
And this is the part most people miss: when senior engineers responsible for core AI infrastructure and safety-critical systems move to a young startup, they are effectively transferring not just skills, but a deep, hard-earned understanding of how to build and scale complex AI products.
The Tesla projects they helped build
Tesla’s Autopilot and Optimus programs are not just side projects; they are central pillars of the company’s future narrative and valuation. CEO Elon Musk has repeatedly argued that Tesla’s ability to crack fully autonomous driving will ultimately define the company’s long-term value, far beyond simply selling electric cars. He has also placed huge emphasis on Optimus, Tesla’s humanoid robot, framing it as a product that could eventually be produced in the millions and used for everything from repetitive factory work to assisting with personal care tasks at home.
When engineers and AI specialists who helped build these systems decide to jump ship, it naturally raises questions. Does this kind of talent migration suggest that some experts see more potential for rapid progress in nimble startups than in a giant, highly scrutinized public company? Or is it simply a normal part of a fast-moving tech ecosystem where specialists chase the most exciting frontier?
Who else made the move?
In addition to high-profile engineers, Sunday Robotics has attracted a mix of former Tesla interns and Autopilot team members who have contributed to the company’s work over the past five years. One example is Jason Peterson, who has experience with both the Optimus project and Tesla’s robotaxi talent efforts, according to his professional profile.
Altogether, Sunday Robotics has built a team of about 50 people so far. That headcount includes not only engineers but also “memory developers,” a role focused on training the robot—likely involving how the robot learns, remembers, and responds to user behavior and household tasks. For a small startup, that’s already a sizable, specialized team.
Here’s a subtle but potentially divisive angle: if a compact, 50-person startup can move fast with a focused crew of ex-Tesla engineers, could it out-innovate a much larger organization bogged down by bureaucracy, regulation, and public expectations?
The founders and their Tesla link
Sunday Robotics was founded in 2024 by Cheng Chi and Tony Zhao. Zhao, in particular, has a direct connection to Tesla: he interned on Tesla’s Autopilot team in 2022, giving him firsthand experience with the company’s AI and autonomy work. That background likely helps Sunday Robotics understand what works—and what doesn’t—when it comes to scaling advanced robotics.
This kind of founder profile raises an interesting tension. On one hand, it shows how Tesla has become a training ground for the next generation of robotics founders. On the other hand, it means that Tesla’s investments in talent and training may end up fueling its future competitors.
Meet Memo, the home robot
On November 19, Sunday Robotics unveiled Memo, its home robot designed to handle everyday household tasks. In a video shared on X, Zhao showed Memo performing practical chores: gently picking up wine glasses, loading a dishwasher, and folding socks—tasks that combine delicate handling with real-world usefulness.
These demonstrations are more than flashy marketing clips. They are meant to show that robots are moving beyond industrial arms and research prototypes toward robots that can actually help in the kitchen, laundry room, and living spaces. Memo is positioned as a robot that understands and executes real domestic tasks, not just controlled lab demos.
But here’s where it could spark debate: Are consumers truly ready to let a robot handle fragile dishes, clothing, and possibly more personal tasks in their homes? Or will trust, safety, and privacy concerns slow adoption even if the technology advances quickly?
A crowded race for the home
Sunday Robotics is far from alone in chasing the dream of a capable home robot. A growing number of robotics startups are racing to build machines that can live alongside people and help with everyday work. These companies see the home as the next major frontier for AI and robotics, after factories and warehouses.
One recent example is 1X, a robotics firm that revealed a consumer-ready version of its Neo home robot in October. The company has stated that it plans to start shipping Neo to customers next year, signaling that the era of consumer-targeted home robots is not some distant science fiction concept but an emerging market.
This intensifying competition sets up a potential clash of philosophies: Will customers prefer robots from well-known giants like Tesla, with deep resources and brand recognition, or will they gravitate toward more agile startups that promise faster iteration and more daring designs?
Silence from Tesla and Sunday Robotics
Neither Tesla nor Sunday Robotics has publicly commented in response to questions about the wave of talent moving from one company to the other. That silence leaves plenty of room for speculation about how each side views this shift—whether Tesla considers it a routine part of turnover or a more serious loss, and whether Sunday Robotics sees itself as a quiet specialist or a future heavyweight in consumer robotics.
In fast-moving sectors like AI and robotics, companies often avoid commenting on personnel changes, but the patterns still tell a story. When many employees with deep experience in autonomy and humanoid robots regroup at a young company, it suggests that they share a strong belief in a particular vision for the future of home robots.
Your take: disruption or overhype?
Some people will argue that this kind of talent migration is simply proof that the robotics ecosystem is maturing, with experienced engineers branching out to explore new ideas. Others will say it is a warning sign for Tesla, especially given how central AI, autonomy, and robotics are to its long-term ambitions.
So what do you think: is Sunday Robotics the start of a serious new challenger in home robotics, or is this just another overhyped startup riding the AI wave? Do you see the departure of Tesla staff as a natural career move—or as a red flag for Tesla’s ability to hold on to its best AI minds? Share whether you agree or disagree with the idea that small, focused startups like Sunday Robotics could eventually outpace giants like Tesla in the home robot race.
