Foundation Future Industries, a US-based startup with connections to the Trump family, is stepping up its efforts to militarize humanoid robots. The robot it developed, the Phantom MK-1, has already been deployed to the Ukrainian battlefield for combat trials. Standing at 180cm tall and weighing 80kg, this robot is capable of carrying 20kg of gear. It employs a multi-camera vision system and AI-powered autonomous path-planning technology. Although its current primary role is in reconnaissance missions, it is already equipped to handle military pistols and rifles. The company has openly stated that it does not guarantee these robots will remain non-weaponized. Furthermore, it has secured a $24 million research and development contract from the US military and has plans to introduce an upgraded MK-2 version, boasting double the payload capacity. This development signifies the formal commencement of humanoid robots being tested in extreme military settings, prompting widespread international debates on war ethics and the establishment of regulations for autonomous weapon systems.
