By 2027, 50,000 Humanoid Robots Could Serve as the US Military’s Frontline
Foundation’s Phantom humanoid robots pair human-scale mobility, heavy payload capacity, and sensor-rich design to support military logistics, surveillance, and high-risk missions.
The US military’s next battalion might not be composed of trained cadets, but humanoid robots standing 5.9 feet (1.8 meters) tall.
California-based Foundation Future Industries is positioning its new Phantom robots for military use, with each 180-pound (82-kilogram) unit capable of carrying more than 44 pounds (20 kilograms) of payload or weapons.
Its upper torso serves as its operational core, housing sensors, computers, cameras, and batteries intended to support operation in human-designed environments.
Mobility is handled by the lower torso, which integrates actuators and an advanced balance system that allows the robot to move across uneven terrain, climb stairs, and maintain stability while carrying loads.
Chief Executive Officer Sankaet Pathak said the robots can be used for surveillance or field support roles, including transporting weapons and tactical gear to soldiers.
They could also substitute personnel in higher-risk tasks, such as navigating confined spaces, entering buildings, or exploring cave systems ahead of soldiers.
Pathak said the company plans to build 50,000 Phantoms for the US military by the end of 2027.
Weapons of War
Foundation said Phantom would not be granted full autonomy in combat decision-making, but argues that large-scale deployment could still act as a deterrent by reshaping how conflicts are approached.
The presence of humanoid robots could reportedly dissuade enemy forces from engaging in combat.
“I do think if the US military had like 100,000 robots that they could just demonstrate work, it would by and large end a lot of wars before they start,” Pathak told Forbes.
Despite these potential deterrent effects, experts cautioned that relying on humanoid systems could make military action more likely rather than less.
