The American robotics company Foundation has sent its humanoid military robots to Ukraine for combat testing.
According to Mike LeBlanc, one of the Foundation’s co-founders, the Phantom MK-1 robots donated to the Ukrainian Armed Forces are being deployed to the front lines to perform reconnaissance missions and test the platform’s performance in a real-world combat situation. The robot was first unveiled in October 2025. The developers described the Phantom MK-1 as a humanoid robot designed specifically for military use. The humanoid platform stands approximately 175 centimeters tall and weighs approximately 79-82 kilograms. The Phantom MK-1 is designed to perform tasks related to explosive ordnance disposal, reconnaissance, and other high-risk ground operations. The Foundation also states that it intends to adhere to Pentagon protocols requiring operator approval for the robot to perform actions involving the use of weapons.
The Phantom MK-1 utilizes primarily camera-based computer vision systems and is also equipped with sensor systems such as LiDAR. The robot’s design also incorporates cycloid actuators, which provide high force, quiet operation, and reversible motion transfer. The robot can carry up to 40 kilograms of payload required for missions, including pistols, shotguns, and M-16 rifles. However, since the Phantom MK-1 is a relatively early design, the developer acknowledges potential technical challenges.
According to production plans, the Foundation expects to produce several dozen humanoid robots by the end of this year, and then, as production capacity expands, to ramp up production to several thousand units per year.
