Boston Dynamics Employees Protest $1.3 Million ICE Robot Dog Deal
Boston Dynamics employees oppose a $1.3 million ICE deal for four Spot robots, while executives defend safety uses and ban weaponization amid hiring fears.
Summary
More than 300 of Boston Dynamics’ approximately 1,400 employees, half anonymously, signed an early September petition demanding executives stop four Spot robots reaching US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. On September 25, the Department of Homeland Security awarded Connecticut supplier Radeco $1.3 million for modified Spots called Cerberus, with Boston Dynamics mainly providing technical support. Leadership rejected the demand.
Cerberus detects radiation, toxic gas and explosives, checks oxygen in confined spaces, and carries 30-times zoom, 360-degree and infrared thermal cameras. An optional arm manipulates objects and opens doors; autonomous navigation supports repeatable missions with minimal human intervention. ICE links the purchase to cross-border tunnel operations and human smuggling and trafficking networks.
Employees cited the September 4, 2025 raid that detained 475 primarily South Korean workers at Hyundai Motor Group’s Georgia Metaplant America. Hyundai acquired Boston Dynamics in June 2021. Homeland Security Investigations participated in workplace raids and deportations from 2018 to 2021, halted under Joe Biden’s Homeland Security secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, before Donald Trump redirected thousands of its agents to immigration enforcement after returning in January 2025. Former interim CEO Amanda McMaster said the deal serves humanity; company rules prohibit using Spot to harm, intimidate or enable weapons. Violations could end warranties, updates, licenses and future sales, though Boston Dynamics says DHS has never breached those terms. Petitioners warn the deal threatens recruitment and retention as a $100 million Waltham facility targets 1,250 jobs by 2033 and Hyundai plans thousands of Atlas robots at US factories.
Positives
- Four Cerberus robots can inspect radiation, toxic gas, explosive and oxygen hazards while keeping personnel outside dangerous confined spaces.
- 30-times zoom, 360-degree cameras, infrared imaging and an optional arm expand remote inspection and object-manipulation capabilities.
- Boston Dynamics prohibits using Spot to harm or intimidate people or animals, as a weapon, or to enable weapons.
- A $100 million Waltham robotics and AI facility is expected to create 1,250 jobs by 2033.
- Hyundai still plans to deploy thousands of Boston Dynamics Atlas humanoid robots, beginning at its US facilities.
Risks & concerns
- More than 300 employees, including roughly 150 anonymous signatories, opposed the ICE sale and warned it could damage recruitment and retention.
- Homeland Security Investigations helped detain 475 primarily South Korean workers at Hyundai’s Georgia factory on September 4, 2025.
- Donald Trump redirected thousands of Homeland Security Investigations agents toward immigration enforcement and deportations after returning in January 2025.
- Boston Dynamics’ safeguards depend on customer compliance, although violations could trigger revoked support, licenses, warranties and future sales.
- The Georgia raid prompted outrage in South Korea and questions from its leaders about continued US business investment.