Boston Dynamics employees want to block sale of robot dogs to ICE
Summary
More than 300 Boston Dynamics employees signed a petition asking executives to stop a sale of modified Spot robot dogs to ICE. The company defended the deal, saying the robots can help keep people safe and would not be weaponized; the $1.3 million contract covers four robots intended for inspection and observation tasks.Key Facts
- Employees sent the petition to Boston Dynamics executives in early September, before the contract was awarded on September 25.
- The petition’s more than 300 signatories represent about half of the company’s approximately 1,400 workers; roughly half of the signatures were anonymous.
- The Department of Homeland Security contract awarded $1.3 million to Connecticut-based Radeco to provide ICE with four modified Boston Dynamics Spot robots.
- Radeco’s modified robots are marketed as Cerberus and are equipped with radiation and gas sensors, cameras, and infrared thermal imaging.
- The contract describes uses including detecting hazards, inspecting confined spaces, and supporting remote observation missions.
- The robots can navigate complex industrial environments and perform repeatable autonomous missions with limited human intervention, according to the contract.
- Boston Dynamics said ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations unit would primarily use the robots; the article notes that the unit has also conducted deportations and workplace raids.
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