On September 25, the Department of Homeland Security awarded a $1.3 million contract to Radeco to supply ICE with four modified Boston Dynamics Spot robots, marketed as Cerberus. These units are equipped with sensors for radiation and gas detection, thermal imaging, and an optional robotic arm for object manipulation.
More than 300 of the approximately 1,400 Boston Dynamics employees signed a petition urging leadership to block the deal. Workers cited concerns over the use of these robots by the Homeland Security Investigations unit, specifically referencing a September 2025 raid at a Hyundai Motor Group facility in Georgia that resulted in the detention of 475 workers.
Boston Dynamics leadership maintains its support for the contract, stating it aligns with the company's ethical standards. Former interim CEO Amanda McMaster noted that the company prohibits the use of its robots to harm or intimidate. The firm emphasized that it has worked with the Department of Homeland Security for years without any reported violations of its terms.
The company is currently investing $100 million in a new robotics and AI facility in Waltham, Massachusetts, with plans to create 1,250 jobs by 2033. Despite this growth, employees who signed the petition warned that the association with ICE could negatively impact future recruitment and staff retention.
