Foundation

Startup Foundation, led by ex-Synapse CEO Sankaet Pathak and with AI research chief Prof. Patrick van der Smagt, claims its humanoid robots will learn to interact with the world more efficiently using Deep Variational Bayes Filters. Amidst ambitious fundraising goals, we examine the science, the claims, and the challenges.

Humanoid robotics startup Foundation, led by ex-Synapse CEO Sankaet Pathak, is reportedly seeking $100 million in funding at a $1 billion valuation. This ambitious target comes shortly after the company unveiled its 'Phantom' robot and against the backdrop of Pathak's previous company's recent bankruptcy.

Analyses from MIT Technology Review and a Fortune op-ed highlight significant near-term challenges for widespread humanoid robot deployment. Experts caution against hype, emphasizing technical, economic, and, as recent CEO discussions on social media reveal, domestic adoption hurdles related to safety and public perception, while underscoring the role of specialized robotics.

Foundation Robotics, led by ex-Synapse CEO Sankaet Pathak, emerges with its 'Phantom' humanoid robot targeting industrial automation. Founded in May 2023, the company emphasizes proprietary high-efficiency actuators and a hybrid AI approach combining state-based models and imitation learning. Targeting initial deliveries in mid-2025, Foundation aims to differentiate itself from competitors like Figure and Tesla through hardware performance and faster AI training.