Boston Dynamics CEO Robert Playter announced his resignation on Tuesday, while Buddhist monks concluded a 108-day "Walk for Peace" in Washington, and Bangladesh prepared for its first parliamentary elections since 2024, according to multiple news sources. Additionally, Amazon Ring's Super Bowl ad sparked backlash, and the company's new AI-powered "Search Party" feature raised concerns about mass surveillance.
Robert Playter, the CEO of Boston Dynamics, is stepping down from his role, as reported by TechCrunch and The Verge. Playter, who has been with the robotics company for 30 years, announced his departure in an internal memo on Tuesday. Amanda McMaster, the company's chief financial officer, will serve as interim CEO while a replacement is sought. "Robert Playter is an icon of the global robotics industry, and the entire Boston Dynamics team wishes to express our sincere appreciation and gratitude for his leadership," Boston Dynamics stated in a statement to TechCrunch. Playter's departure is effective immediately, with his official exit from the company scheduled for February 27th, according to The Verge.
Meanwhile, a group of Buddhist monks completed a "Walk for Peace" across the United States, arriving in Washington on Tuesday. The monks, dressed in their saffron robes, journeyed on foot from Fort Worth, Texas, over 108 days, advocating for peace, according to Euronews. Their journey, along with their rescue dog Aloka, garnered attention on social media.
In Bangladesh, voters prepared to head to the polls on Thursday for the country's first parliamentary elections since former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted in 2024, following widespread student-led protests that resulted in approximately 1,400 deaths, as reported by Al Jazeera. Election campaigning concluded on Tuesday morning. Polls are scheduled to open at 7:30 am (01:30 GMT) on February 12 and close at 4:30 pm (10:30 GMT).
Amazon Ring's Super Bowl ad also generated controversy. The ad promoted a new AI-powered "Search Party" feature that can scan footage from neighborhood cameras to find lost dogs. Critics expressed concerns that this feature could be used for broader surveillance, according to The Verge.
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