Foundation Future Industries, a U.S. startup linked to the Trump family, has begun testing humanoid robots in Ukraine for work in combat zones. According to CNBC, the company has sent two Phantom MK-1 robots to the country for pilot trials, conducted with the support of the U.S. government and in cooperation with Ukrainian authorities. The company says this is the first known use of humanoid robots in a real armed conflict.
During the tests, the robots are carrying out logistics tasks in dangerous areas near the front line—delivering supplies in ways that reduce risks to servicemen. According to the company’s chief executive, Sankaet Pathak, the trials confirmed the robots’ ability to carry out supply-delivery missions that could pose a threat to soldiers. The current version, however, can carry a load of about 20 kilograms and still has limitations in autonomy and water resistance. Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense declined to comment on the tests.
This year, Foundation plans to send a new Phantom 2 model to Ukraine. Pathak said it will have twice the payload capacity and a set of new capabilities the company describes as “superhuman.”
The company has already received $24 million in U.S. government contracts for research in the interests of the Army, Navy and Air Force—including the use of humanoids in logistics, site inspection and weapons handling. Over the next 12 to 18 months, Foundation expects to begin testing its robots with the U.S. armed forces.
Eric Trump’s involvement has drawn additional attention to the project. The U.S. president’s son first invested in the company and later became its strategy adviser. Because of that, Senator Elizabeth Warren previously said the startup’s receipt of government contracts could look like “corruption in plain sight.”
Experts interviewed by CNBC note that the military use of humanoid robots raises questions because of cost, manufacturing complexity and autonomous decision-making in combat conditions.