Boston Dynamics employees urge company to halt ICE robot deal; executives stand firm

More than 300 Boston Dynamics employees have asked executives to stop supporting a deal supplying robot dogs to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The company is standing by its participation, arguing the machines can protect people from dangerous conditions. The petition and management’s response were detailed in Ars Technica’s October 26 report.

Workers sent the petition to executives in early September and shared copies with The Boston Globe and WBUR. About half the signatures were anonymous. The company has approximately 1,400 employees, making the petition a substantial expression of internal opposition—not a company-wide vote. Signatories warned that the relationship could damage recruitment and drive colleagues away.

Four robots for hazardous inspections

The Department of Homeland Security awarded Connecticut-based Radeco a $1.3 million contract on September 25 for four modified Boston Dynamics Spot robots. Radeco markets the modified machines as Cerberus. Boston Dynamics’ involvement would mainly be technical support, according to The Boston Globe’s reporting cited by Ars.

The contract describes detecting radiation, toxic gas leaks and explosive threats, alongside remote observation and inspection. It justifies the purchase as supporting operations against illicit cross-border tunnels and human smuggling and trafficking networks.

• An oxygen sensor is intended to check whether air is breathable before personnel enter confined spaces such as tunnels.
• Cameras provide 30-times zoom, 360-degree views and infrared thermal imaging.
• An optional robotic arm can manipulate objects, open doors and provide additional camera views when extended.

The contract also describes the robot as capable of navigating complex industrial environments and repeating autonomous missions with minimal human intervention. Those are stated capabilities, not evidence of how ICE has deployed the machines.

Regardless of any political implications or personal feelings about the organizations involved, if our robot can help keep people safe, we believe it should.

Boston Dynamics spokesperson, in a statement to Ars Technica

Employees challenge the customer, not just the equipment

Boston Dynamics has emphasized that the robots would primarily serve ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations unit, which investigates transnational criminal organizations, according to WBUR. But that distinction does not satisfy the petitioners, who explicitly objected to the investigative unit’s involvement in immigration enforcement.

Their letter singled out the September 4, 2025, raid at Hyundai Motor Group’s Metaplant America facility in Georgia. ICE and Homeland Security Investigations detained 475 workers, primarily South Koreans. The connection was personal: Hyundai became Boston Dynamics’ parent company after acquiring it in June 2021.

The petition accused ICE of brutalizing civilians and said employees could not take pride in work used by the agency, including against Hyundai colleagues. Its objection extended across ICE, rather than only to the unit responsible for removals.

Management points to restrictions and enforcement

Boston Dynamics says the robots will not be weaponized. Spot’s sale terms prohibit intentional use to harm or intimidate people or animals, use as a weapon, or use to enable a weapon. Those restrictions cover intimidation as well as physical weaponization.

In an email obtained by The Boston Globe and WBUR, former interim CEO Amanda McMaster defended the decision as consistent with the company’s ethical purpose. She asked employees to respect and accept it even if they disagreed.

A spokesperson told Ars that DHS and Homeland Security Investigations had followed the terms during years of working with Boston Dynamics. The company said it had seen no violations while working with DHS and other public safety agencies.

If a customer misused Spot, Boston Dynamics said it would take immediate action. Possible steps include voiding warranties, withholding future software updates, terminating licenses and pursuing legal action. It also said it would likely never sell to that customer again.