After four years of war, Ukraine has become the best testbed for new military technologieswhich has attracted numerous Western defense companies and startups. The last one that has transcended is the American company Foundationwhich last February delivered to Ukraine two Phantom MK1 humanoid soldier robots for battlefield evaluation.
The startup, based in San Francisco, presented the Phantom MK1 as a humanoid robot last October designed specifically for combat and is considered one of the first of its kind.
Mike LeBlancco-founder of Foundation, said in an interview with Time that the company deployed two Phantom MK1 humanoid robots in Ukraine last month. The robots were sent to the front for reconnaissance workas part of efforts to test the platform in a real combat environment. It is the first time that a humanoid robot has been sent to the front lines.
LeBlanc believes that robots will in the future be able to take on dangerous roles currently performed by soldiers on the battlefield, adding that the Phantom platform is being developed to operate a variety of weapons systems normally used by humans.
The MK1 is already undergoing testing at industrial facilities around the world, but Ukraine has become a key testing ground for emerging military technologies. According to the Ukrainian state news agency United24, the country has carried out thousands of robotic operations in January alone, most focused in logistical tasks such as delivering ammunition, weapons and supplies to frontline troops. Ukraine’s drone industry has seen great development since 2022 and has numerous unmanned vehicles of all kinds and for all purposes.
Foundation also maintains close contact with the United States Department of Homeland Security on the possible use of robots Phantom in patrol operations along the southern border, according to the Ukrainian media Militarnyi.
The company’s Phantom MK1 is designed both for industrial and defense functionswhich places it among a small group of application-oriented robotic systems dual use.
The humanoid measures approximately 1.80 metersweigh 80 kiloscan load 40 and is designed to operate in dangerous environments where human life would be at risk. It can be used for tasks such as reconnaissance, surveillance, logistical support and other high-risk activities, such as the deactivation of explosives or the handling of hazardous materials during military missions.
From a technical point of view, the Phantom MK1 is mainly based in camera vision systems instead of sensors like LiDAR. Also uses own cycloidal actuators that provide strength, silent operation and feedback for safer interaction with humans.
The system is designed to maintain human decision-making capacity. Robots manage movement and navigation, while human operators retain authority over any lethal decisions.
Production plans call for an initial deployment of several dozen units this year, expanding as manufacturing capacity increases. Foundation plans to produce up to 50,000 units before the end of 2027. Instead of selling the robots, the company plans rent them with an estimated annual cost of about $100,000 per unit.