Foundation Future Robotics Eyes More MK 1 Shipments to Israel After Ukraine Combat Debut
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Nov 13
Foundation Future Robotics Eyes More MK 1 Shipments to Israel After Ukraine Combat Debut
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Nov 13
Summary
Foundation Future Robotics said it is in talks to send additional Phantom MK 1 humanoid robots to Israel, widening beyond Ukraine after what it says was the first humanoid deployment to a combat zone in February.
MK 1 units carry about 88 pounds and are positioned as support systems for ordnance handling, munitions loading and other manual tasks rather than frontline autonomous fighters.
Co-founder Mike LeBlanc said the Ukraine deployment was a proof of concept and that the company is nearing shipment of the larger MK 2, a 6-foot, 185-pound model designed to handle heavier weapons and industrial work.
LeBlanc argued robots could do most major fighting within 5 to 10 years, though he said humans would still be needed for special operations and battlefield improvisation.
The expansion comes as Foundation faces political scrutiny over a $24 million Pentagon humanoid-robotics contract and its ties to investor and strategy adviser Eric Trump.