Ukraine Has Begun Testing Humanoid Combat Robots
- 30.05.2026, 19:47
They are being tested right on the front lines of the war against the Russian Federation.
US startup Foundation Future Industries, a Trump-affiliated startup, is testing its humanoid combat robots in Ukraine. They are being tested right on the front lines of the war unleashed by Russia.
This is reported by CNBS.
The publication writes that the company Foundation is based in San Francisco and is engaged in robotics. And it has ties to the family of U.S. President Donald Trump.
The media outlet notes that at least this particular startup sees a whole new use for humanoid robots. While other companies are developing them to fold big and pour coffee, Foundation sees the technology being used in warfare or other potentially dangerous and even deadly professions.
In particular, the company is developing dual-purpose autonomous humanoid robots designed for both heavy industry and military purposes.
Early prototypes are being tested in Ukraine for potential use in warfare. And they are being tested on the battlefield, in the actual war that Russia has launched against Ukraine.
In an interview with CNBC, the company's CEO Sankat Pathak said the company is based on the belief that humanoid robotics should be focused on solving humanity's most important problems, not on household chores and services.
The startup has set ambitious goals: Pathak plans to ramp up production to thousands of units this year and begin frontline testing with U.S. troops over the next 18 months According to a statement from the company, this marked the first known use of humanoid robots in a war zone.
The ongoing trials, supported by the U.S. government and conducted with Ukrainian officials, focused on practicing logistical tasks in dangerous areas.
Ukraine was a natural debut, as the country's war has already become a major testing ground for robotics and artificial intelligence in combat environments. Here, in particular, ground robots are used to deliver supplies to the front lines, while autonomous and AI-equipped drones are used for precision strikes and reconnaissance.
Patak said the MK-1's trials in Ukraine have already proven the robot's potential for cargo delivery missions, which often put soldiers at risk.
But there's a nuance. Though the MK-1s help demonstrate the utility of the underlying technology, they are far from super soldiers, carrying only about 20 kilograms of payload on board. They are also not waterproof or have sufficient battery life for mass deployment.
Foundation plans to send a new, already improved robot, the Phantom 2, to Ukraine this year. According to the CEO, this robot will have superhuman abilities and twice the payload capacity of the Phantom 1.
Foundation expects the results of its tests in Ukraine to serve for future work with the U.S. Army.
The startup has already received government research contracts totaling $24 million to test implementations in inspection, logistics and weapons handling in the Army, Navy and Air Force.
Patak said talks with officials in the government have shifted from research to scaling the use of robots. He aims for Foundation to deploy its technology to the U.S. military and, if necessary, on the front lines in conflict zones within the next 12 to 18 months.
CNBC writes that the above goal will be achieved with the help of Eric Trump, Donald Trump's second son, who recently joined the company as chief strategy adviser.
A spokesman for Foundation told the publication that Eric Trump was an investor in the firm before he became its adviser, and says the two sides shared a common vision of bringing manufacturing back from the U.S.