Hundreds of Boston Dynamics employees have petitioned executives to halt the sale of robot dogs to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, warning of reputational risk. Over 300 staff, nearly a quarter of the 1,400-person workforce, signed the letter expressing disbelief and horror at the potential partnership. The company's leadership, however, has stood by the deal, emphasizing the robots' non-lethal purpose.
The contract, awarded on September 25 by the Department of Homeland Security to a Connecticut company called Radeco, involves four modified Boston Dynamics Spot robots. These units, marketed as Cerberus, are upgraded with military-grade equipment including radiation and toxic gas detectors, 30-times zoom cameras, and infrared thermal imaging. An optional robotic arm enables object manipulation.
Boston Dynamics maintains the robots are intended for Homeland Security Investigations to combat transnational criminal organizations and conduct tunnel detection. A company spokesperson stated the devices help keep people out of harm's way regardless of political implications. The employees' petition argues the risk to the firm's mission and public perception is too great to continue with the ICE agreement.
Source: Ars Technica · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing