Ghost Robotics settles ‘robot dog’ patent lawsuit with Boston Dynamics

Ghost Robotics has settled a lawsuit that dogged its storied path to dominating Philly’s robotics scene.

The Penn spinout known for its “robot dogs” announced today a resolution to its ongoing patent battle with robotics competitor Boston Dynamics. The companies agreed to a settlement, although the specific terms of the agreement are confidential. Ghost Robotics declined to share additional details. 

“This agreement underscores our shared commitment to advancing the progress of legged robots while fostering new opportunities for collaboration on key policy and technological initiatives,” said Gavin Kenneally, co-founder and CEO of Ghost Robotics.

Ghost Robotics makes unmanned ground vehicles, which are four-legged robots that can travel across rough terrain in harsh weather. Boston Dynamics makes a similar product. 

The latest news ends a long-time dispute between the companies. Boston Dynamics filed a lawsuit against Ghost Robotics in 2022 for patent infringement. At the time, Ghost said the claims were “baseless.” 

Now, the companies say they look forward to collaborating on national robotics policy, including responsible development and use of robotics and artificial intelligence, according to a press release. The companies plan to meet early this year to discuss policy proposals. 

Both Ghost and Boston Dynamics agree there should be stronger policies related to using robotics to address supply-chain issues and in government settings. There should be stronger safety and ethics standards for the robotics industry and increased resources for research, development and manufacturing in the United States, they said in the joint release. 

Boston Dynamics created a public pledge in 2022 to not weaponize its products. Several other robotics companies signed the pledge, but Ghost Robotics notably did not. 

Ghost’s year of protests, an acquisition and more

Ghost Robotics’ history has been filled with ups and downs. The company faced major controversy in 2024, although it did not seem to impact its acquisition deal with a foreign defense tech giant. 

Cofounders Gavin Kenneally, Avik De and the late Jiren Parikh launched the startup in 2015 while studying at the University of Pennsylvania. Its first robot, called Ghost Minitaur, made a splash in 2018, appearing on The Daily Show. 

The company is now best known for its larger UVG, the Vision 60 model, which has been tested by the US Marines and other parts of the Dept. of Defense.

More generally, those unmanned vehicles have been seen as a new frontier in warfare. Beyond just Ghost, companies are working with the military to develop and put into action the “robot dogs.”

While companies promise not to weaponize the tech, as Boston Dynamics demonstrated with its pledge, it’s still controversial for aiding military action as the Dept. of Defense continues to research new ways to use it. In response to the pledge started by Boston Dynamics, Ghost said it wouldn’t tell its government customers how to use or not use its products. 

Ghost specifically faced criticism last year after it came out that the startup was selling its product to the Israeli military and there were reports that the Vision 60 was being used in the Gaza Strip, sparking protests and petitions.

Last July, an unknown perpetrator vandalized the home of a Ghost Robotics executive. Separately, Penn Police responded to another defacement at Pennovation Works in Grays Ferry, where Ghost Robotics and several other startups are based. 

Shortly after, Ghost Robotics announced it was being acquired by South Korean aerospace manufacturer, LIG Nex 1. The company acquired a 60% control stake in Ghost in a $240 million deal, making the startup’s total valuation $400 million. 

The lawsuit settlement shows Ghost’s intention to collaborate with others in the industry and establish a more national-facing presence — which could bring a spotlight to the rest of the Philly robotics scene. 

“Ghost Robotics,” cofounder Kenneally previously told Technical.ly, “will maintain our headquarters in Philadelphia.”