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[Digital Today AI Reporter] Foundation Future Industries, a U.S. robotics startup tied to the Trump family, is accelerating development of autonomous humanoid robots for military and industrial use. CNBC reported on the 30th (local time) that the company conducted initial trials in Ukraine and aims to field the technology with the U.S. military within 12 to 18 months.
Headquartered in San Francisco, Foundation Future Industries says it intends to deploy humanoid robots on missions that are more dangerous or potentially lethal than household or service tasks. CEO Sankaet Patak said robots that can take on jobs too hazardous for humans would represent one of the clearest public benefits of robotics.
Earlier this year the company sent two Phantom MK-1 units to Ukraine for pilot testing. With backing from the U.S. government, the trials with Ukrainian authorities focused on logistics in hazardous areas. Patak said the tests showed the robots’ promise in supply-recovery missions that would otherwise put service members at risk.
The MK-1 has clear limits. It can carry about 44 pounds, and its waterproofing and battery life fall short of what would be required for large-scale operations. Foundation Future Industries plans to send an upgraded Phantom 2 to Ukraine before the end of the year with roughly double the payload capacity. Patak said the new model will deliver \”superhuman\” capabilities.
The company is also expanding cooperation with the U.S. military. It has won about 24 million USD (approximately 32 billion KRW) in government research contracts to assess feasibility in inspection, logistics and weapons handling for the Army, Navy and Air Force. Patak said talks with the government are shifting from research toward broader operational use.
Eric Trump recently joined the company as chief strategy adviser. Foundation Future Industries says he was an investor before taking the advisory role. Sen. Elizabeth Warren criticized the firm’s government contracts as \”blatant corruption.\”
Experts are divided over humanoids’ military utility. Katerina Vonda argued that humanoid robots could outperform tracked or quadruped platforms in urban battlefields designed for human movement—stairs, ladders, underground spaces and narrow corridors. Melanie Sisson countered that humanoid development is complex and costly, and noted that the war in Ukraine has favored systems that can be adapted and produced quickly and affordably. Patak said most armed applications would require human confirmation, but in time-sensitive situations robots may need to make fully autonomous decisions.
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