Boston Dynamics Workers Protest ICE Robot Dog Sale
Hundreds of employees at US robotics firm Boston Dynamics have signed a petition urging executives to block the sale of the company's quadruped robots to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Radwan AbdulhadiEditor and technology writer
Employee Petition Opposes ICE Robot Sale
Hundreds of employees at the US robotics firm Boston Dynamics signed a petition calling for executives to halt a sale of the company's robot dogs to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Details of the internal push were initially reported by outlets including The Boston Globe and WBUR public radio station.
The petition letter included more than 300 signatures, with roughly half submitted anonymously out of a total workforce of approximately 1,400 people. Signatories stated that the risk for Boston Dynamics is too great to continue with the agreement, noting that friends and family had asked how employees could live with themselves if the sale proceeded.
Contract Details and Cerberus Specifications
The Department of Homeland Security contract awarded $1.3 million to a Connecticut company called Radeco to supply ICE with modified versions of Boston Dynamics Spot robots. These modified systems are marketed as a robot platform named Cerberus.
According to the contract specifications, the Cerberus units are intended to detect radiation, toxic gas leaks, and explosive threats in urban environments or disaster zones, alongside conducting remote observation and inspection missions. The robots feature an oxygen sensor designed to check air quality in confined spaces such as tunnels, a camera system with 30-times zoom capability, 360-degree cameras, and infrared thermal imaging. They can also be equipped with an optional robotic arm to manipulate objects, open doors, and provide additional camera views while operating autonomously in complex environments with minimal human intervention.
Company Defense and Terms of Use
Despite the internal protest, Boston Dynamics leadership stood by the agreement with Radeco, which primarily involves technical support for the modified units. A company spokesperson emphasized that Spot robots are tools designed to keep people out of harm's way, maintaining that if the technology can help protect human lives, it should be utilized regardless of political implications.
Amanda McMaster, then interim CEO for Boston Dynamics, addressed the employee petition via email, stating that the decision aligns with the company's purpose of ethically advancing intelligent machines in service of humanity. McMaster urged workers to accept the decision and pointed to strict terms and conditions prohibiting the intentional use of the product to harm or intimidate any person or animal, as a weapon, or to enable any weapon.
ICE Mandates and Historical Context
The contract justifies the purchase as supporting Homeland Security Task Forces in conducting counter-illicit cross-border tunnel operations and dismantling smuggling networks run by cartels and transnational organizations. Boston Dynamics noted that the systems would primarily be deployed by ICE's Homeland Security Investigations unit.
However, the Brennan Center for Justice has documented that the Homeland Security Investigations unit has frequently participated in deportations and workplace raids during various presidential administrations. The Immigration Policy Tracking Project also reported that policy directives under President Donald Trump redirected thousands of agents toward immigration enforcement and deportation operations.
Hyundai Connection and Employee Concerns
The employee petition explicitly highlighted a workplace raid conducted by ICE and Homeland Security Investigations at the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America facility in Georgia, which resulted in the detention of workers. Hyundai Motor Group completed its process of acquiring the US robotics company in June 2021.
Petition signatories expressed dismay that their engineering work was being associated with a government agency that instills fear among civilians, including colleagues linked to their parent company. Boston Dynamics stated it would take immediate action—such as voiding warranties, terminating licenses, and cutting off future sales—should any customer violate the strict terms and conditions governing the deployment of Spot robots.
Sources
- Ars TechnicaBoston Dynamics employees want to block sale of robot dogs to ICE
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