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US — Ars Technica

Boston Dynamics employees want to block sale of robot dogs to ICE

Robotics1 min read

Hundreds of Boston Dynamics employees signed a petition asking company leaders to stop selling robot dogs to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The leaders kept the deal and say the robots will not be weaponized.

Workers push back on an ICE deal

More than 300 employees at the robotics company Boston Dynamics signed a letter asking executives to cancel a sale of robot dogs to ICE. Half of the signers stayed anonymous. The workers sent the letter to executives in early September and shared copies with The Boston Globe and WBUR radio. Executives still support the deal. They say the robots will not be used as weapons.

Key facts

  • A $1.3 million contract was awarded on September 25 by the Department of Homeland Security.
  • A Connecticut company named Radeco will give ICE modified Boston Dynamics robots.
  • More than 300 employees signed the petition, out of about 1,400 workers at the company.
  • The contract covers four Spot robots, which Radeco changed into a platform called Cerberus.

What the robot dogs can do

The contract says the Cerberus robots are meant to detect radiation, toxic gas leaks, and explosive threats in cities or disaster zones. They can also do remote checks and inspections. A key part is an oxygen sensor that checks whether the air is safe to breathe in tight spaces like tunnels. The robot also has a camera with 30-times zoom, 360-degree cameras, and infrared thermal imaging, which can see heat.

Why this matters

The story shows a clash between company business deals and the values of the people who build the products. Workers say the deal could harm the company's reputation and make them feel ashamed of their work. It also raises a bigger question: should robots built for other uses be sold to government agencies that enforce immigration laws?

What to watch

  • Whether Boston Dynamics changes its decision after the petition.
  • Whether more employees speak out or leave the company.
  • How ICE and Radeco use the Cerberus robots once they are delivered.

Glossary

Boston Dynamics
A US company that builds robots, including four-legged robot dogs called Spot.
ICE
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a US government agency that enforces immigration and customs laws.
Radeco
A Connecticut company that modifies Boston Dynamics robots for buyers, such as ICE.
Spot
A four-legged robot dog made by Boston Dynamics.
Cerberus
The name of the modified robot platform that Radeco made from Spot robots.
Department of Homeland Security
A US government department that protects the country and oversees agencies such as ICE.

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