Boston Dynamics Employees Petition Company to Cancel ICE Robot Dog Deal
- Hundreds of Boston Dynamics employees are calling on the Waltham-based manufacturer to halt the sale of its robotic dogs to U.S.
- The internal petition, sent to company leadership in September, warns that the contract damages Boston Dynamics' workforce morale and public image.
- Many of us have gotten messages from friends and family, asking us in disbelief and horror if this news is true, and how we can live with ourselves...
Hundreds of Boston Dynamics employees are calling on the Waltham-based manufacturer to halt the sale of its robotic dogs to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The $1.3 million contract involves four modified machines equipped with add-ons like thermal cameras and sensors for explosive materials.
Employees Demand Halt Over ICE Deal
The internal petition, sent to company leadership in September, warns that the contract damages Boston Dynamics’ workforce morale and public image. Employees wrote that the arrangement makes them look like they are working directly with an agency that brutalizes civilians. A Boston Dynamics spokesperson acknowledged the letter, noting that it contains roughly 300 signatures—nearly half of which were entered anonymously—representing a minority of the company’s 1,400 to 1,500 workers.
🇺🇸 ICE wants ROBOT DOGS for immigration enforcementThey're looking to spend up to $2 million on Boston Dynamics’ Spot robots, giving immigration agents four-legged surveillance machines that can navigate rough terrain, see in 360 degrees and even open doors with robotic arms.…
Many of us have gotten messages from friends and family, asking us in disbelief and horror if this news is true, and how we can live with ourselves if it is.
Boston Dynamics Employees Petition
Third-Party Delivery and Modified Hardware
Boston Dynamics is not supplying the hardware directly to the federal agency, but rather through Radeco, a third-party company based in Connecticut. The federal contract covers four modified Spot robots officially nicknamed Cerberus. The units feature a robotic arm, thermal cameras, and sensors for explosive materials. Local activist groups including Don’t Mourn Organize and the De-ICE Action Network have staged protests outside Boston Dynamics headquarters to demand that the company revoke the software license required to operate the machines.
Leadership Stands Behind Company Sale
Interim CEO Amanda McMaster responded to the internal petition, stating that management stands behind the decision to move forward with government sales. McMaster cited corporate anti-weaponization guidelines, pointing out that the Department of Homeland Security must abide by strict terms and conditions prohibiting harm or intimidation. A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said the machines simply provide officers with a safe tool to evaluate hazardous environments before sending personnel into the field.
