US start-up plans to send new humanoid military robots to Ukraine – media

Foundation Future Industries, a U.S. start-up, announced plans to send its next-generation humanoid military robots, the Phantom 2, to Ukraine this year. The company previously deployed two Phantom MK-1 units in Ukraine for pilot testing earlier in 2024, marking the first known use of humanoid robots in a combat theater. These tests, supported by the U.S. government and Ukrainian officials, focused on logistics in dangerous environments, such as supply pickups that expose soldiers to risk. The Phantom MK-1 demonstrated potential but had limitations, including a 20-kg payload capacity, lack of waterproofing, and insufficient battery life for large-scale deployment. Foundation CEO Sankaet Pathak stated the new Phantom 2 model will feature 'superhuman abilities' and double the payload capacity of its predecessor. The company expects these upgrades to address earlier constraints and improve operational effectiveness. Foundation’s involvement in Ukraine is part of broader efforts to integrate its technology with the U.S. military. The company has secured $24 million in government contracts for feasibility testing across the Army, Navy, and Air Force, covering inspection, logistics, and weapons handling. Pathak noted discussions with officials have shifted from research to scaling deployment, with plans to integrate the robots into U.S. military operations within 12 to 18 months. The start-up’s work in Ukraine aims to refine its technology for real-world combat conditions, providing insights that could accelerate adoption by the U.S. military. Foundation’s long-term goal is to deploy its robots on front lines, emphasizing their potential to replace high-risk human tasks in military operations.