Tesla has taken legal action against a former engineer, Zhongjie “Jay” Li, and his startup, Proception Inc., claiming they stole sensitive trade secrets tied to Tesla’s humanoid robot project, Optimus. Li, who worked at Tesla from 2022 to 2024, is said to have downloaded confidential data about robotic hand sensors onto personal devices just before he resigned. Within a week of leaving Tesla, he founded Proception, and in just five months, the new company publicly showcased robotic hands that Tesla argues are strikingly similar to its designs.
Tesla claims it spent years, relied on hundreds of employees, and invested billions of dollars to develop its robotic hand technology, which is central to the Optimus robot. The lawsuit alleges that Proception’s rapid development timeline could only have been achieved by using Tesla’s stolen research. Tesla is now seeking financial damages and a court order to prevent Proception from further using or benefiting from the confidential material, citing the need to protect its competitive edge in a rapidly advancing field.
Industry observers believe this case could set a new standard for how companies protect intellectual property in artificial intelligence and robotics. The legal complaint draws attention to the technical similarities between Tesla’s and Proception’s products, which could push the court to introduce stricter rules around access to sensitive engineering data. If Tesla wins, the outcome may force startups and established companies alike to adopt tighter controls over proprietary research and development assets.
This legal battle comes at a crucial moment for Tesla. The Optimus robot, first revealed in 2021, has been described by Elon Musk as central to the company’s future. Its commercial rollout has already been delayed to 2026. Musk has even hinted at long-term uses for Optimus beyond Earth, including on future SpaceX missions. Now, with parts of the project allegedly compromised, Tesla is under pressure to contain the breach and reassure investors and customers about the integrity of its innovation process.Backed by Y Combinator, Proception’s rapid rise has raised questions, but so far, the company has not responded publicly to the lawsuit. Meanwhile, Tesla’s strong legal stance highlights how seriously it treats intellectual property in core innovation areas. As the case unfolds, it may serve as a wake-up call across the tech industry, prompting firms to reconsider how they manage internal data, departing employees, and the risks posed by fast-moving competitors.
