CNET Goes Hands-On With Foundation's 'Phantom' Humanoid as CEO Discusses Arming Robots

Foundation Robotics has given CNET a behind-the-scenes look at its San Francisco headquarters, featuring a hands-on teleoperation demo of its Phantom MK1 humanoid. The segment provided a closer look at the robot's current capabilities and new hardware, but the main takeaway was CEO Sankaet Pathak's most explicit comments to date on the company's defense aspirations, where he confirmed that weaponizing the robots is a distinct possibility.

From 'First Body In' to Armed Defense

While Foundation has been uniquely open about its "dual-use" strategy for industry and defense, Pathak's latest interview marks a significant escalation in rhetoric. Previously, the company framed its military pitch around logistics and sending robots into dangerous situations first to act as a "bullet sponge instead of a soldier."

In the CNET video, Pathak went a step further. While discussing the need for a "human in the loop" for battlefield applications, he laid out a range of potential use cases, from reconnaissance and clearing landmines to more direct roles.

"Their use cases which is... first line of defense would require arming them with guns," Pathak stated. "So pretty much all of those things are on the table."

This is the most direct acknowledgement from any major U.S. humanoid robotics CEO that their platform is being considered for active weaponization.

Hands-On with Phantom

The feature also provided a practical look at the robot's current state. The CNET reporter controlled the Phantom MK1 using a VR headset, demonstrating how a remote operator could perform tasks. The demo highlighted the system's potential for human-in-the-loop control, which Pathak sees as essential for defense scenarios and for remote intervention in industrial settings. However, the segment also noted some current limitations, with the reporter experiencing calibration issues where the robot's hands became crossed, requiring a system reset.

Foundation also showcased a new, more dexterous, tendon-inspired hand design. Pathak noted that development in robotics often "converges on a human hand," as its form factor is necessary to interact with a world built for people.

Robot Boxing and an Uncertain Future

Adding to the company's aggressive posture, Pathak confirmed Phantom is being trained for a planned "USA vs. China" robot boxing match. He claimed the robot has "twice the overall torque throughput than any other robot on the market for its size," adding that with its hips, "it would be deadly."

Pathak's candid discussion about arming robots, coupled with the ongoing questions about his leadership following the collapse of his previous company Synapse, further cements Foundation's position as the most controversial and closely-watched startup in the humanoid space. While competitors focus on warehouse logistics and factory tasks, Foundation is making it clear its ambitions extend to the battlefield.

Watch the CNET feature

Read more:

"Foundation CEO Discusses 'Dual-Use' Humanoids, From Factory Floors to Future Battlefields"