Boston Dynamics stands by a $1.3M Spot sale to ICE after 300 employees sign a petition

Boston Dynamics will go ahead with a $1.3 million contract to supply four Spot robots and related equipment to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, despite a petition signed by about 300 employees, WBUR reported on October 23, 2026. The petition was sent to leadership in early September; nearly half of the signatures were anonymous, according to a company spokesperson. The company has more than 1,500 employees.

Why it matters: robot makers have relied on terms of sale to manage how their machines are used. This is the first time one has defended a specific government sale to its own staff on those grounds.

What is being sold?

Four Spot quadrupeds plus other Spot technology. Ars Technica and Humanoids Daily reported that the robots are supplied through an integrator, RADeCO, as a modified Spot called Cerberus, with arms, thermal cameras, radios and training. The buyer is ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations unit, which Boston Dynamics says mainly handles transnational criminal cases rather than removals.

What did the company say?

Interim chief executive Amanda McMaster told staff the company stands by the decision. She said customers must follow terms that prohibit weaponising the robots or using them for harm or intimidation, and asked employees to accept the decision even if they disagree, according to WBUR.

How does this fit Boston Dynamics’ position?

Boston Dynamics co-signed an industry pledge in 2022 not to weaponise general-purpose robots. Its leadership is also in transition: Rohit Prasad was named to lead the Atlas factory push in October.