McMaster also highlighted the company’s Spot robot terms of sale that prohibit “the intentional use of the product to harm or intimidate any person or animal, as a weapon, or to activate any weapon.” The company previously signed an open letter opposing the weaponization of “advanced mobility multipurpose robots.”
The Boston Dynamics spokesperson told Ars that the company has been “working productively” with the Department of Homeland Security and Homeland Security Investigations Unit for years, and said they have complied with the company’s terms of sale.
The robotics company said it would also “take immediate action” if a customer misused Spot, although it said “there have been no instances where a customer has violated these terms and conditions” while working with the Department of Homeland Security and other “public safety agencies.”
“This would include specific steps such as voiding the warranty, opting out of all future software updates, terminating their license, taking any appropriate legal action available to us, and likely never selling to this customer again,” the Boston Dynamics spokesperson said.
Future Workforce Concerns
Boston Dynamics employees’ reaction to the ICE contract comes as the company develops a new advanced robotics and AI facility in Waltham, Massachusetts, near its headquarters. The $100 million project plans to create 1,250 new jobs by 2033, according to a company press release.
The ICE contract represents “a complex and emotional topic for many people, including some of our own employees,” the Boston Dynamics spokesperson said. “As our company continues to grow at a rapid pace, we will continue to welcome a highly diverse group of employees with opinions from all sides of the social and political spectrum.”
But as Boston Dynamics increases its production capabilities and deploys robots such as Spot and Atlas, employees who signed the petition expressed concerns that associating the company with the ICE contract would threaten both hiring and retention of the workforce.
“We fear losing teammates because of this decision and are concerned about the risk it creates to achieving our company’s shared goals,” according to the petition. “This decision makes Boston Dynamics a less attractive employer; it will make it more difficult to build the team we need as we scale. »
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