Boston Dynamics and Ghost Robotics have put an end to their patent battle, which began roughly two and a half years ago, with a mutually beneficial agreement. The two robotics firms announced the settlement in a joint release on Wednesday, marking a significant turning point in their relationship.

The dispute initially arose from allegations of patent infringement by Ghost Robotics, specifically related to legged robots. The situation was further complicated by Ghost's perceived ambivalence towards the use of military-mounted weaponry on their robots. This controversy was fueled by images of an autonomous rifle mounted on a Ghost-produced robot dog, which sparked widespread concern on social media.

In response to the settlement, Boston Dynamics' Chief Legal Officer, Jason Fiorillo, expressed his company's satisfaction with the outcome, stating, "We are pleased to resolve this dispute on mutually advantageous terms." Fiorillo also highlighted the potential for future collaborations between the two companies, noting that they look forward to working together on common ground issues to advance robotics in the United States and globally.

Ghost Robotics' co-founder and CEO, Gavin Kenneally, echoed Fiorillo's sentiments, emphasizing the importance of driving innovation in robotics. Kenneally stated that the agreement underscores the companies' shared commitment to advancing legged robots while fostering new opportunities for collaboration on key policy and technological initiatives.

It is worth noting that Boston Dynamics has its roots in military contractors, with DARPA being a key supporter in the company's early days. However, unlike Ghost Robotics, Boston Dynamics' initial focus was on designing robots to transport payloads rather than mounting weapons.

The settlement of this dispute comes at a critical time, as the United States currently lacks a national robotics strategy. As Fiorillo pointed out, countries like China are heavily investing in robotics and AI, setting aggressive technology acceleration goals at a national level. Without more direct interest and engagement from policymakers, the U.S. risks falling behind in the robotics and AI race.

In light of this, the two companies have announced plans to meet early this year to discuss further policy proposals that could benefit both companies and the industry at large. This development could have significant implications for the future of robotics innovation and policy in the United States.

The resolution of this patent dispute marks a significant step forward for both Boston Dynamics and Ghost Robotics, as they shift their focus towards collaboration and driving progress in the robotics industry. As the two companies move forward, their potential collaborations could have far-reaching consequences for the development of robotics and AI in the United States and beyond.