# ICE Acquires $1.3M Robotic Dogs

ICE spent approximately $1.3 million through contractor RADeCO to acquire four modified Boston Dynamics SPOT robots, called Cerberus. Boston Dynamics was not named as a contractor in the sale, but says its software license and product-use restrictions apply. Protests in Waltham and opposition to a Massachusetts tax credit supporting Boston Dynamics’ expansion add reputational, ethical-compliance, and state-policy considerations for contractors involved in this acquisition or similar deployments.

- RADeCO is identified as the contractor for the acquisition; Boston Dynamics’ role is as the robot manufacturer and software licensor, not as a named contractor in the sale.
- Contractors supporting similar deployments should assess the applicable software license and product-use restrictions, alongside the reputational and ethical concerns raised by local advocates.
- Companies with Massachusetts operations or state-supported expansion plans may face additional scrutiny when their products are used in contested government deployments.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Public Safety, Information Technology
**Topics:** Regulatory Compliance
**Published:** October 17, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
- Commonwealth of Massachusetts

### Vendors
- RADeCO (Prime contractor to ICE for the modified robots)
- Boston Dynamics (Original equipment manufacturer and SPOT software licensor; not named as a contractor in the ICE sale)

### Key Quotes
> I think it is a trend of dehumanizing conflict, kind of turning conflict into some kind of video game that I think makes it even easier to take life without thinking about it.
> — Elizabeth Hoffecker, founder of Indivisible Waltham

> It’s the duty of the researcher to promote the well-being and safety of the individual in the community.
> — Thomas Vaughn, engineering ethics professor at Northeastern University

### Sources
- [Local advocates rally against sale of Boston Dynamics’ robot dogs to ICE – Waltham Times](https://walthamtimes.org/2026/10/17/local-advocates-rally-against-sale-of-boston-dynamics-robot-dogs-to-ice) - Waltham Times