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Roughly two and a half years after theirpatent battle began , Boston Dynamics and Ghost Robotics have settled the dispute on reasonably amicable terms . The robotics firms on Wednesday come out a joint release declare the oddment of the dispute .

“ We are proud of to answer this dispute on mutually advantageous terms , ” Boston Dynamics Chief Legal Officer Jason Fiorillo noted . “ We look forward to collaborating on vulgar flat coat number where our two companies might collaborate in the future tense , to advance the state of robotics in the United States and around the world . ”

The dispute arose from alleged infringement against a Boston Dynamics patent of invention over legged robots . Exacerbating the struggle was Ghost ’s seeming agnosticism with regard to military - mounted weapons system . A month prior , Boston Dynamics was one of a smattering of robotics firms that contributed to an open letter condemning the weaponization of “ general purpose ” robot .

That letter appear to have been inspire — at least in part — by paradigm of an sovereign rifle mount up to the top of a Ghost - produce golem dog that had recently made undulation on social media .

touch conscientious objector - founder and current CEO Gavin Kenneally responded to the recent closure by emphasizing potential future collaborations with Boston Dynamics .

“ This resolution countenance us to pore on driving conception in robotics , ” Kenneally said . “ This agreement underscores our share consignment to advancing the progress of legged golem while fostering unexampled opportunities for collaboration on key policy and technological initiative . ”

Boston Dynamics has its own solution in military contractors . DARPA was a key jock in the Hyundai - possess company ’s earliest days . Notably , however , those early Boston Dynamics heel were contrive to transport payloads , rather than mounting weapons .

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“ Currently , the United States has no national robotics scheme , ” Fiorillo added . “ Countries like China are heavily adorn in robotics and AI , and setting fast-growing engineering acceleration goals at a national degree . Without more direct interest and interlocking from policymakers , the U.S. danger falling behind . ”

The two company announced plans to run into early on this year to “ hash out further policy proposals that could benefit both ship’s company and the manufacture at large . ”