Tesla has hired former Apple research scientist Yilun Chen to join its Optimus AI team, a move seen as a significant talent acquisition for the humanoid robot project. Chen expressed being “totally blown away by the scale and sophistication of the Optimus lab” after a visit. This key hire comes at a time when Tesla is facing scrutiny over its high valuation amid slowing growth and declining margins in its core automotive business. The news also surfaces as Tesla contends with reports of slumping sales in key European markets and criticism from prominent investors like Michael Burry, who recently reiterated his view that the company's stock is "ridiculously overvalued." While analysts remain divided on the company's near-term outlook, this high-profile hire from a major tech rival underscores Tesla's continued focus on its ambitious artificial intelligence and robotics initiatives beyond electric vehicles.