Boston Dynamics CEO Robert Playter steps down after 30 years at the company

Boston Dynamics, the renowned robotics firm based in Massachusetts famous for its innovative four-legged robots and humanoids, is entering a new chapter in its leadership. In an internal memo released on Tuesday, Robert Playter declared his decision to step down as the company’s chief executive officer, a move first reported by A3. Amanda McMaster, currently the chief financial officer, will temporarily take on the CEO role while the company searches for a permanent successor. TechCrunch has reached out for additional insights from Boston Dynamics regarding this transition. Playter has been a pivotal figure at Boston Dynamics for three decades, having assumed the CEO position in 2020 after founder Marc Raibert. His extensive experience includes serving as vice president of engineering and chief operating officer during his tenure. Founded in 1992 as a spin-off from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston Dynamics gained global attention when Google’s parent company, Alphabet, acquired it in 2013. The company was later sold to the Japanese investment conglomerate SoftBank in 2017, and it became part of Hyundai’s portfolio in 2021. Under Playter's leadership, the company successfully commercialized its quadruped robot, Spot, shortly after he took charge. The latest addition to its lineup is Atlas, a humanoid robot that showcases the firm’s commitment to cutting-edge robotics.