Robotics CEO says weaponized humanoid tests could begin in 2027

The chief executive of US robotics firm Foundation Future Industries told Euronews Next he expects to begin testing weaponization use cases for his company's Phantom humanoid robots "as early as next year," building on pilot programmes already conducted in Ukraine.politis+1

Sankaet Pathak's comments mark the clearest timeline yet for arming the bipedal machines his San Francisco-based startup has been developing for both commercial and military applications. Foundation sent two Phantom MK-1 units to an undisclosed location in Ukraine in February for logistics and reconnaissance testing, described as the first deployment of humanoid robots to any theater of combat.thenextweb+2

Precision Over Destruction

Pathak pushed back on comparisons to science fiction dystopias, arguing that deploying humanoids makes little sense if the goal is simply mass destruction. A bomb would accomplish that more cheaply, he told Euronews Next. Instead, he said humanoids could take on combat roles precisely because they offer a level of precision that other weapons — including aerial bombing — cannot match, allowing missions to be completed while limiting damage to infrastructure and harm to civilians.politis

He does not envision humanoids replacing drones but sees them filling a gap as ground combat grows increasingly dangerous for human soldiers. He described the technology as "the next phase of precision warfare."politis

Next-Generation Hardware

The military trials in Ukraine pushed Foundation to redesign its hardware for outdoor, high-stress conditions. The company's next-generation Phantom 2 is waterproof and dustproof, with payload capacity rising from roughly 25-30 kilograms in the original to about 80 kilograms. Fall tolerance increases from 12-15 G-force to nearly 100 G-force, powered by a three-kilowatt-hour battery.politis

Foundation holds $24 million in Pentagon research contracts across the Army, Navy, and Air Force for feasibility studies in inspection, logistics, and weapon handling. The company aims to produce at least 40,000 units annually by the end of 2027 at a target price below $20,000 per robot.cnbc+2

Governance Questions Loom

There is currently no dedicated treaty governing humanoid or autonomous robots in combat. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has pushed for a binding ban on lethal autonomous weapons that operate without human control. Pathak told Euronews he saw no reason humanoids should be treated differently from armed drones and unmanned ground vehicles already in use.politis

The BBC reported that Foundation describes itself as the only American company focused on a full range of defense applications for humanoids, including what Pathak calls "frontline weaponization." Foundation's investors include Eric Trump, son of US President Donald Trump, along with Stripe and venture firm Define.bbc+2