Boston Dynamics Undergoes Leadership Transition as CEO Robert Playter Steps Down After Three Decades

10.02.2026

Boston Dynamics, the Massachusetts-based robotics manufacturer renowned for its advanced quadrupedal platforms and humanoid systems, is experiencing a significant leadership transition.

Robert Playter announced via internal communication on Tuesday that he will be stepping down from his position as Chief Executive Officer, as initially reported by A3. Amanda McMaster, currently serving as the company's Chief Financial Officer, will assume interim CEO responsibilities while the organization conducts a comprehensive search for a permanent successor.

Playter assumed the CEO role at Boston Dynamics in 2020, succeeding founder Marc Raibert. His tenure with the company spans 30 years, during which he held various executive positions including Vice President of Engineering and Chief Operating Officer.

Boston Dynamics was established in 1992 by Raibert as a spin-off from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he served as a faculty member. The company has undergone several ownership transitions:

• Acquired by Alphabet (Google's parent company) in 2013
• Sold to Japanese investment conglomerate SoftBank in 2017
• Purchased by Hyundai Motor Group in 2021, its current owner

The robotics manufacturer has gained international recognition for its Spot quadruped robot, which was commercialized in 2020 shortly after Playter's appointment as CEO. The company recently unveiled Atlas, its latest-generation humanoid robotic platform, demonstrating continued innovation in bipedal locomotion and manipulation technologies.

This leadership change marks a pivotal moment for Boston Dynamics as it continues to expand its commercial robotics offerings and solidify its position in the industrial automation sector.

Tags: leadership robotics Boston Dynamics Spot Robot Atlas

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