Boston Dynamics CEO Change — 30-Year Veteran Retires
- Robert Playter CEO to step down, effective February 27th
- CFO Amanda McMaster appointed as interim CEO
- Ends 6-year term leading the commercialization of Spot, Atlas, and Stretch
Playter’s 30 Years, The Final Chapter
Boston Dynamics CEO Robert Playter is retiring after 30 years with the company.[TechCrunch] His last day is February 27th. He originally served as COO before being promoted to CEO in the fall of 2019.[The Robot Report]
CFO Amanda McMaster will take over as interim CEO. She will lead the company until the board finds a permanent CEO.[The Robot Report]
Achievements of a 6-Year Term
Playter’s tenure marks a period of transition for Boston Dynamics from a research lab to a commercial enterprise. He spearheaded the full-scale commercial sales of the quadruped robot Spot and entered warehouse automation with the logistics robot Stretch.
He also maintained leadership by redesigning Atlas with electric drive. He strengthened strategic cooperation with Hyundai Motor Group and deepened AI partnerships with Google DeepMind.[TechCrunch]
Significance of the Leadership Change in the Robotics Industry
The timing of the change is significant. The humanoid robot competition is heating up as startups like Skild AI and Figure attract large-scale investments. For the new CEO, a commercialization strategy combined with Hyundai Motor Group’s manufacturing capabilities will be a key challenge.
A leader is needed to take the next step on the commercialization foundation laid by Playter. It’s worth watching who will take the helm in this transitional period for the robotics industry.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Why is Robert Playter stepping down?
A: Officially, the reason is retirement. He served as CEO for 6 years out of his 30 years with the company. It appears to be a natural generational shift rather than a management conflict. His last day is February 27th.
Q: Who is Amanda McMaster?
A: She is the CFO of Boston Dynamics. She has been appointed as interim CEO and will lead the company until the board finds a permanent successor. As a finance expert, a focus on profitability is expected.
Q: What are Boston Dynamics’ main products?
A: Three robots are key. Spot is a quadruped robot for industrial site inspection. Stretch is a warehouse logistics automation robot. Atlas is an electrically driven humanoid robot aimed at becoming a next-generation general-purpose robot.
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References
- Boston Dynamics CEO Robert Playter steps down after 30 years at the company – TechCrunch (2026-02-10)
- Boston Dynamics CEO Robert Playter steps down – The Robot Report (2026-02-10)
- Robert Playter – CEO @ Boston Dynamics – Crunchbase (2026-02-10)