Boston Dynamics has announced a major leadership transition, with CEO Robert Playter stepping down after 30 years at the robotics company.

The decision was shared internally on Tuesday, according to a report by A3.

Amanda McMaster, the company’s chief financial officer, will assume the role of interim CEO while Boston Dynamics searches for a permanent replacement.

In a statement to TechCrunch, the company praised Playter as a transformative figure in the global robotics industry.

Playter became CEO in 2020, succeeding founder Marc Raibert, and previously served as vice president of engineering and chief operating officer.

Under his leadership, Boston Dynamics evolved from a research-focused lab into a commercially driven robotics powerhouse.

Founded in 1992 as a spinoff from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston Dynamics has changed ownership several times, moving from Alphabet to SoftBank and later to Hyundai, which acquired the firm in 2021.

The company is best known for its quadruped robot, Spot, and its humanoid robot, Atlas. Boston Dynamics credited Playter with helping position the firm as a global leader in mobile robotics innovation.

Source: Techcrunch