Boston Dynamics CEO to step down after over 30 years

Robert Playter, who has led the robotics company since 2019, will depart on February 27

Feb. 10, 2026 at 7:39pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Boston Dynamics CEO Robert Playter announced he will be stepping down from his role after more than 30 years with the company. Playter, who has served as CEO since 2019, will depart on February 27, with CFO Amanda McMaster serving as interim CEO while the board searches for a permanent replacement.

Why it matters

Playter's departure marks a significant transition for Boston Dynamics, which has grown from a small research lab into a global leader in mobile robotics under his leadership. The company is now poised to commercialize its humanoid robot Atlas and scale up production of other models like Spot, making Playter's successor a critical hire.

The details

In a memo to staff, Playter cited the company's successful transition from an "innovation lab to a sustainable, scalable business" as a key accomplishment during his tenure as CEO. Under his leadership, Boston Dynamics has achieved major milestones with products like the quadruped robot Spot and the warehouse robot Stretch, while also re-establishing the company's flagship humanoid robot Atlas as an industry leader.

  • Playter will depart Boston Dynamics on February 27, 2026.
  • Playter first joined Boston Dynamics in 1994, shortly after pursuing a Ph.D. in aerospace engineering at MIT.

The players

Robert Playter

The outgoing CEO of Boston Dynamics, who has led the company for the past six years and been with the company for over 30 years.

Amanda McMaster

Boston Dynamics' chief financial officer, who will serve as interim CEO while the company's board searches for Playter's permanent replacement.

Boston Dynamics

A global leader in mobile robotics, known for developing advanced robots like Spot and Atlas.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We've been doing this for a long time. But for us to be approaching a point where we're really thinking about commercializing the humanoid, I don't know that we expected that years ago.”

— Robert Playter, CEO

What’s next

The Boston Dynamics board will lead the search for Playter's permanent replacement as CEO.

The takeaway

Playter's departure marks a significant transition for Boston Dynamics as it looks to scale up production and commercialize its advanced robotics technology, including the humanoid Atlas robot, under new leadership.