Boston Dynamics Workers Urged Halt to ICE Robot Deal Before $1.3 Million Award

A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement contract for four Spot-based robot systems drew opposition inside Boston Dynamics, where about 300 employees asked leaders to end the company’s involvement before the $1.3 million award went to RADeCO Inc.

Employees sent their petition in early September, before ICE awarded the contract on Sept. 25, 2026. The signers urged leaders to withdraw, writing, “The risk for Boston Dynamics is simply too great to continue with this deal.”

The award names RADeCO as the contractor and covers four Cerberus systems built around Boston Dynamics’ Spot robot. The procurement documents identify them as Spot AV robotic systems. The contract went to RADeCO, not directly to Boston Dynamics.

The order includes four manipulation arms and four cameras. The cameras have 30-times zoom and infrared thermal imaging. The procurement outlines uses spanning public safety and law enforcement, immigration enforcement and detention, as well as investigative work. Their listed capabilities include detecting radiation, toxic gas leaks and explosive threats, as well as remote observation, inspection, documentation and hazard assessment.

Boston Dynamics has identified ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) unit as the systems’ primary user. HSI focuses on transnational criminal matters. The contract’s mission list also names immigration enforcement and detention, alongside public safety and law enforcement.

Former interim CEO Amanda McMaster addressed the petition in an email to employees, asking them to “respect and accept this decision, even if you do not agree with it.” Boston Dynamics stood by the arrangement after receiving the petition.

Separately, Boston Dynamics’ published Spot terms prohibit customers from using the robot to harm or intimidate people or animals, as a weapon, or in a configuration that can hold a weapon. Violations void the warranty and bar software updates, service, repairs or replacement.