TL;DRFoundation sent humanoid robots to Ukraine and has $24M in Pentagon contracts. Eric Trump is its chief strategy adviser. Warren calls it “corruption.”
Foundation Future Industries, a San Francisco startup founded in 2024, sent two of its Phantom MK-1 humanoid robots to Ukraine earlier this year. The company described it as the first known deployment of humanoid robots in a combat theatre. The tests, backed by the US government and conducted with Ukrainian officials, focused on logistics in hazardous areas.
CEO Sankaet Pathak told CNBC the MK-1 testing proved the robots can perform supply pickups that currently expose soldiers to danger. The robots carry approximately 44 pounds. They lack waterproofing and sufficient battery life for sustained deployment.
Foundation plans to send improved Phantom 2 units to Ukraine this year. Pathak says they will have “superhuman abilities” and double the payload capacity. The company is targeting front-line deployment with the US military within 12 to 18 months.
The political dimension is unavoidable. Eric Trump, the second son of the sitting president, recently joined Foundation as chief strategy adviser. The company has received $24 million in government research contracts across the Army, Navy, and Air Force for feasibility testing in inspection, logistics, and weapons handling.The 💜 of EU techThe latest rumblings from the EU tech scene, a story from our wise ol' founder Boris, and some questionable AI art. It's free, every week, in your inbox. Sign up now!
