Ex-Tesla exec builds the home heat pump Tesla gave up for robots

Drew Baglino, a former Senior Vice President at Tesla, has launched a startup named Sadi Thermal Machines to develop a residential heat pump. Baglino, who spent almost two decades at Tesla working on batteries, motors, and power electronics, is now focusing on a home energy product that Tesla had discussed publicly in 2022 but ultimately did not ship. This venture represents a pivot for Baglino, moving away from Tesla's recent strategic focus on humanoid robots and robotaxis. Sadi Thermal Machines aims to bring this previously announced but unreleased product to market, capitalizing on Baglino's extensive experience in energy systems developed during his tenure at Tesla.