Boston Dynamics CEO Steps Down as Hyundai Shifts Robotics Focus to Profitability

Hyundai aims to aggressively scale the robotics business, moving beyond research and development towards mass production and integration within its own high-tech factories.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Robert Playter has stepped down as CEO of Boston Dynamics after three decades with the company. This leadership transition comes as Hyundai Motor Group, which acquired Boston Dynamics in 2021, looks to accelerate the robotics company's commercialization efforts, particularly with its groundbreaking humanoid robot, Atlas.

Why it matters

The change in leadership signals a strategic realignment by Hyundai to scale the robotics business beyond research and development, aiming to integrate Boston Dynamics' advanced technology into its own manufacturing operations and pursue mass production and adoption of its robots like Spot and Stretch.

The details

Playter's six-year tenure as CEO marked a fundamental shift for Boston Dynamics, steering the company from a primarily research-focused lab to a commercial enterprise. The unveiling of the fully electric Atlas humanoid robot at CES 2026 has generated significant excitement, with all 2026 units already committed to partners like Hyundai's Robotics Metaplant Application Center and Google DeepMind. However, the field of humanoid robotics is becoming increasingly competitive, with startups and established giants like Tesla also developing their own humanoid robots.

  • On February 10, 2026, Boston Dynamics announced Robert Playter's departure as CEO.
  • Boston Dynamics unveiled the fully electric Atlas humanoid robot at CES 2026.

The players

Robert Playter

The former CEO of Boston Dynamics who stepped down after three decades with the company.

Hyundai Motor Group

The South Korean automotive conglomerate that acquired Boston Dynamics in 2021 and is now shifting the robotics company's focus towards profitability and mass production.

Amanda McMaster

The current Chief Financial Officer of Boston Dynamics who is serving as interim CEO while a permanent replacement is sought.

Figure AI

A startup developing its own humanoid robots, backed by OpenAI.

Agility Robotics

A startup developing humanoid robots, with investment from Amazon.

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What’s next

The search for a permanent CEO will be closely watched, as the appointment will reveal Hyundai's ultimate ambition for Boston Dynamics: will it remain a pioneering research unit, or will it become a mass producer of robotic solutions?

The takeaway

Hyundai's acquisition of Boston Dynamics and the leadership transition signals a strategic shift towards scaling the robotics business, moving beyond research and development to focus on mass production and integration within Hyundai's own high-tech manufacturing operations.