The CEO of Boston Dynamics is retiring after 30 years of service in various roles within the company. He transformed the company from a research laboratory into a successful business known for innovations like Spot, Stretch, and Atlas. He will step down at the end of February 2026. Robert Plater, the CEO of Boston Dynamics, has announced his retirement, as reported by The Verge. He will be leaving his position in February 2026. Having spent over three decades dedicated to the company, Plater has overseen its evolution from a small lab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to becoming a global business entity now owned by the South Korean conglomerate Hyundai Motor Group.
Plater, a veteran of Boston Dynamics, reminisces about the company’s achievements far exceeding his initial expectations from his days in the MIT Media Lab basement. Under his leadership, Boston Dynamics transitioned from a research center to a thriving commercial enterprise, changing ownership from SoftBank to Hyundai Motor Group in 2021. Acknowledging his significant contribution, Boston Dynamics acknowledges Plater as an icon in the global robotics industry, highlighting his pivotal role in shaping the company’s success.
Nicholas Noel, the Vice President of Marketing, credits Robert Plater for establishing Boston Dynamics as a global leader in mobile robotics. Plater himself regards the development of robots like Spot, Stretch, and Atlas as significant milestones in his career. Boston Dynamics’ journey began in 1992 when it separated from MIT, with Plater’s early work commencing in the MIT Media Lab basement. Project funding from the US Department of Defense’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency supported the creation of remarkable robots like BigDog.
Boston Dynamics gained global recognition through viral internet videos featuring robots like the humanoid Atlas and the quadruped robot-dog Spot. Although initially focused on research, Boston Dynamics began commercializing Spot in June 2020 for $74,500, catering it for warehouse patrols, inspections, and diverse applications, ranging from sheep herding to assisting healthcare workers during the pandemic. Despite media attention, the company struggled financially for years, incurring annual losses.
In 2021, Hyundai Motor Group acquired an 80% stake in Boston Dynamics from SoftBank for $880 million, aiming to leverage Spot robots for production controls and maintenance tasks within its operations. The collaboration is seen as a strategic move to enhance efficiency and productivity within Hyundai Motor Group. Following Plater’s retirement in February 2026, Amanda McMaster, the current Chief Financial Officer, will temporarily assume the role of CEO.
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