Boston Dynamics staff demand cancellation of robot dog sale to ICE

Dozens of Boston Dynamics employees have called on the robotics firm to cancel a September contract worth $1.3 million that supplies four Spot robot dogs and associated technology to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The petition, signed by about half of the workforce, claims the deal tarnishes the company's image and associates it with an agency they say has a history of intimidating civilians. ICE says the robots will enhance safety by providing real-time situational awareness, but Boston Dynamics maintains the units are destined for the Homeland Security Investigations division, not immigration enforcement.

Interim CEO Amanda McMaster affirmed the company will proceed with the sale, referencing contractual clauses that prohibit weaponization. Workers warn the arrangement could lead to staff departures and make recruitment harder, noting that external contacts have already expressed alarm over the agreement.