The agency bought the robots without seeking competing bids, and chose a version built to detect chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear hazards.
1. For those who asked what is being done - the De-Ice Action Network (DIAN) started a campaign to engage Boston Dynamics. We did this because no one in the Network believes for one minute that ICE will not weaponize these robotic dogs against people. The folks at Boston Dynamics who talked to our leadership are living in a world of surrealism. Rachel Maddox ran a piece on the DIAN action as did the Boston Globe.
2 Hyundai owns 43% of Boston Dynamics. Consideration is being given about starting actions against Hyundai.
DIAN successfully ran a campaign against Citizen Bank financing the deportation camps.
We need to keep identifying and engaging corporate America who is making huge profits off the crazed anti-immigration cartel.
Weird how these companies always name things like "Cerberus" and "Palantir" and we're not supposed to take the implications seriously, that they intended to do evil shit.
Does anyone believe that DHS, police departments, or other authorities will NOT use these monsters against people? I hope this will be included in the Democratic agenda: outlaw robot dogs. This must fall under some sort of norm or law or Constitutional issue--breaking and entering without a judicial warrant, cruel &/or unusual punishment, intimidation, due process, something. If not, it should. This ugly sci-fi dystopian nonsense has to stop. We are human beings.
Can't wait to see some of the illiterate, unvetted, racist idiots they've hired at ICE try to use these, especially with the level of training given these thugs so far....
Agree. Only thing these should be used for is explosives detection and retrieval, and hazardous substance detection. Never as weapons against humans. Time for a strong bill in congress. Good luck with that.
If any one is interested email the leader at Boston Dynamics and voice your displeasure at their complicity with the unlawful and brutal tactics of ICE.
Email Boston Dynamics Interim CEO and CFO Amanda McMasters
Subject: Do you trust ICE not to violate your company’s ethics principles?
Suggested Message:
Dear Ms. McMasters,
I was distressed to learn of the plan for US Immigrations and Enforcement (ICE) to enter into a contract with Boston Dynamics for the purchase of the company’s Spot Robot Dogs.
Your website states that you “strive to create a future in which humans and machines work together to improve everyone's safety, productivity and quality of life,” and that the robots must work “in service of human needs.” Government use of robots, you note, must not involve “violation of privacy and civil rights laws.”
Yet ICE has repeatedly demonstrated that it is incapable of acting in a manner consistent with these principles in its use of violence, in targeting individuals exercising their Constitutional rights, and in resisting all efforts to be held accountable for its actions.
ICE may claim their interest in Spot is for purely defensive purposes, but your company should note what ICE calls a defensive action. For example, ICE agents have claimed self-defense when they have shot at people in vehicles, despite video evidence that the agents were never in harm’s way. In July, a New York Times investigation found that nearly half of 400-plus resolved assault cases brought against protesters and immigrants unraveled, often because agents were found to have initiated force. It is frightening to consider how far a rogue agency like ICE can go when provided with powerful technology.
Bottom line: Boston Dynamics should not want to be associated with an agency that is tearing communities apart with seemingly little concern for civil rights and human decency. Please reconsider the contract and join the growing number of companies that are choosing to stand by their own principles and on the right side of history.
Since these things are probably not leash trained, you could lasso them and tie the thing to a tree. It’s not a real dog, so don’t give it anthropomorphic qualities.
What would you like to bet these puppies are trained to "sniff out" illegals, or at least, Hispanics, and take them down? If they can detect bomb-making chemicals, their "nose" can be trained to detect just about anything.
1. For those who asked what is being done - the De-Ice Action Network (DIAN) started a campaign to engage Boston Dynamics. We did this because no one in the Network believes for one minute that ICE will not weaponize these robotic dogs against people. The folks at Boston Dynamics who talked to our leadership are living in a world of surrealism. Rachel Maddox ran a piece on the DIAN action as did the Boston Globe.
2 Hyundai owns 43% of Boston Dynamics. Consideration is being given about starting actions against Hyundai.
DIAN successfully ran a campaign against Citizen Bank financing the deportation camps.
We need to keep identifying and engaging corporate America who is making huge profits off the crazed anti-immigration cartel.
Weird how these companies always name things like "Cerberus" and "Palantir" and we're not supposed to take the implications seriously, that they intended to do evil shit.
Does anyone believe that DHS, police departments, or other authorities will NOT use these monsters against people? I hope this will be included in the Democratic agenda: outlaw robot dogs. This must fall under some sort of norm or law or Constitutional issue--breaking and entering without a judicial warrant, cruel &/or unusual punishment, intimidation, due process, something. If not, it should. This ugly sci-fi dystopian nonsense has to stop. We are human beings.
Outlaw no bid, no advertised contracts too.
Yes, my first thought about the no-bid, no-advertised contract was that one or more of of Drumpf's cronies must be profiting from this
Incompetent cronies too. Exhibit A: the reflecting pool.
Can't wait to see some of the illiterate, unvetted, racist idiots they've hired at ICE try to use these, especially with the level of training given these thugs so far....
lol. That thought makes me feel just a tiny bit better.
The name Cerberus is appropriate. The US is being made into a kind of hell, so of course we need Hades multi-headed guard dog at the infinite border.
Agree. Only thing these should be used for is explosives detection and retrieval, and hazardous substance detection. Never as weapons against humans. Time for a strong bill in congress. Good luck with that.
I wonder who's gaining profit in Dumpy's circle of grifters?
And who owns the company? Who sits on the board of directors?
What is being done to stop this particular purchase from going through?
At this point, probably nothing. It first appeared on DHS procurement forecasts in August. As of Friday, the contract is already signed.
Thank you for your work and for the information; we'll spread the word.
If any one is interested email the leader at Boston Dynamics and voice your displeasure at their complicity with the unlawful and brutal tactics of ICE.
Email Boston Dynamics Interim CEO and CFO Amanda McMasters
To: AMcMaster@BostonDynamics.com
Subject: Do you trust ICE not to violate your company’s ethics principles?
Suggested Message:
Dear Ms. McMasters,
I was distressed to learn of the plan for US Immigrations and Enforcement (ICE) to enter into a contract with Boston Dynamics for the purchase of the company’s Spot Robot Dogs.
Your website states that you “strive to create a future in which humans and machines work together to improve everyone's safety, productivity and quality of life,” and that the robots must work “in service of human needs.” Government use of robots, you note, must not involve “violation of privacy and civil rights laws.”
Yet ICE has repeatedly demonstrated that it is incapable of acting in a manner consistent with these principles in its use of violence, in targeting individuals exercising their Constitutional rights, and in resisting all efforts to be held accountable for its actions.
ICE may claim their interest in Spot is for purely defensive purposes, but your company should note what ICE calls a defensive action. For example, ICE agents have claimed self-defense when they have shot at people in vehicles, despite video evidence that the agents were never in harm’s way. In July, a New York Times investigation found that nearly half of 400-plus resolved assault cases brought against protesters and immigrants unraveled, often because agents were found to have initiated force. It is frightening to consider how far a rogue agency like ICE can go when provided with powerful technology.
Bottom line: Boston Dynamics should not want to be associated with an agency that is tearing communities apart with seemingly little concern for civil rights and human decency. Please reconsider the contract and join the growing number of companies that are choosing to stand by their own principles and on the right side of history.
[Your Name]
[Your City, State]
Detect chemicals MY ASS. Bet they are going to release those in the streets.
Famously, no one ever managed to get past Cerberus. Unless they were super strong or drugged him or sang nicely or brought snacks.
Since these things are probably not leash trained, you could lasso them and tie the thing to a tree. It’s not a real dog, so don’t give it anthropomorphic qualities.
The Mechanical Hound's of Farhenheit 451 immediately came to mind.
What would you like to bet these puppies are trained to "sniff out" illegals, or at least, Hispanics, and take them down? If they can detect bomb-making chemicals, their "nose" can be trained to detect just about anything.