Could Humanoid Robots Be Heading for the Battlefield?
Wednesday, 2026/06/10191 words3 minutes2272 reads
Foundation Robotics, a startup in San Francisco, is developing Phantom, a humanoid robot designed for military use. The company's CEO, Sankaet Pathak, believes these robots could perform various tasks including supply delivery, reconnaissance, and even combat operations.
Currently, Phantom is in early development stages, practicing basic tasks like manipulating building blocks. The first-generation model has significant limitations: it lacks a battery, isn't weatherproof, and cannot recover from falls. However, the second-generation model promises improvements, including six hours of battery life and better durability.
Pathak argues that armed robots could protect human soldiers by entering dangerous situations, such as searching buildings where soldiers are vulnerable. He envisions creating 40,000 units annually by 2027, with long-term costs under $20,000 each. Foundation has secured $24 million in research contracts with the US military and is testing units in Ukraine.
However, experts express skepticism. Dean Fankhauser from Robozaps notes that current humanoid robots struggle with basic warehouse tasks. Robert Griffin from the Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition points out that unpredictable environments remain a major challenge. Ethical concerns also arise, as critics argue that autonomous weapons lower barriers to warfare and blur accountability.
