The general manager of Boston Dynamics, the company that turned robotics into a profitable business, is stepping down from his role.

Boston Dynamics – an American robotics startup that was previously under SoftBank’s sponsorship moved in 2021 to South Korean automaker Hyundai Motor Group.

The company’s CEO, Robert Pleater, announced his departure: he will leave the post this month after six years in leadership.

What happened during Pleater’s tenure
Time Event
2020 Pleater becomes CEO, replacing his predecessor.
November 2023 It was announced that the Atlas robot would begin being used at Hyundai assembly plants from 2028.
February 2024 After Pleater’s exit at the end of the month, CFO Amanda McMaster will temporarily assume the role of CEO.

Reviews and assessments
- Robert Pleater, founder of the startup, fondly recalls the early years:

“What the company became surpassed my expectations from those distant days in MIT Media Lab’s basement.”

- He highlights three key robots as the most successful developments: Spot, Stretch, and Atlas.

- According to Nicholas Noelle, Vice President for Marketing and Communications, Pleater turned Boston Dynamics from a small research lab into a profitable business recognized as a global leader in mobile robotics.

What next
Employees will miss their former leader, but his departure is seen as well‑deserved rest. Amanda McMaster will temporarily run the company until a new permanent CEO is appointed.