Tesla sues engineer over ‘Dojo’ supercomputer technology theft

Tesla Inc. sued a former engineer claiming he illegally transferred confidential information on its supercomputer technology to his own computer and t
...
The Tesla Model X. (InsideEvs)
The Tesla Model X. (InsideEvs)

Tesla Inc. sued a former engineer claiming he illegally transferred confidential information on its supercomputer technology to his own computer and turned over a “dummy" laptop for inspection to cover up the theft.

Tesla is developing an in-house supercomputer, dubbed Project Dojo, to deal with massive amounts of data, including video from Tesla cars, and using it to create autonomous driving software. Alexander Yatskov was hired in January as a thermal engineer to help design cooling systems for the computer, which generates a lot of heat, Tesla said in the complaint.

Also check these Vehicles

Find more Cars
Tesla Model S (HT Auto photo)
UPCOMING
BatteryCapacity Icon75 kWh Range Icon396 km
₹70 Lakhs - 1 Cr
View Details
Tesla Model 3 (HT Auto photo)
UPCOMING
BatteryCapacity Icon82kWh Range Icon 555 km
₹ 70 - 90 Lakhs
View Details
Super Eco Super Eco T1 (HT Auto photo)
Range Icon80 Km
₹56,772
Compare
Compare
Super Eco Super Eco S 2 (HT Auto photo)
Range Icon85 Km
₹85,500
Compare
Super Soco Cumini (HT Auto photo)
UPCOMING
Range Icon70 Km/Charge
₹90,000
View Details

“These thermal designs and data are confidential and tightly guarded within Tesla," the electric-car maker said.

But Tesla said Yatskov admitted to downloading confidential information from his Tesla devices to his personal devices, after he was confronted. He turned over a “dummy" computer for inspection by Tesla to try and cover his tracks, the company said.

Yatskov quit on May 2 and has refused to return the information, Tesla said in the complaint.

When reached by phone, Yatskov said he wasn’t aware of the complaint and declined to immediately comment on it.

Tesla also accused Yatskov of lying in his resume about his expertise and work experience. He also breached a non-disclosure agreement that barred him from disclosing trade secrets, Tesla said.

“This is a case about illicit retention of trade secrets by an employee who, in his short time at Tesla, already demonstrated a track record of lying and then lying again by providing a ‘dummy’ device to try and cover his tracks," Tesla said in its complaint.

Tesla is seeking compensatory and exemplary damages and an order that would stop Yatskov from disseminating its trade secrets and direct him to return all proprietary data.

The case is Tesla Inc. v. Yatskov, 5:22-cv-02725, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California (San Jose).

First Published Date: 07 May 2022, 10:56 AM IST
NEXT ARTICLE BEGINS

Please provide your details to get Personalized Offers on

Choose city
+91 | Choose city
Choose city
Choose city

Want to get the best price for your existing car?

Powered by: Spinny Logo
By clicking "View Offers" you Agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy

Dear Name

Please verify your mobile number.

+91 | Choose city
Couldn't verify the OTP.
It's either expired or it's incorrect.