Could humanoid robots be heading for the battlefield?

An important development from the financial markets: Could humanoid robots be heading for the battlefield? 25 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleZoe CorbynTechnology Reporter, San FranciscoZoe CorbynFoundation Robotics' Phantom is learning basic tasksI've come to an industrial space in a tech-heavy area of San Francisco expecting to see a menacing humanoid robot solider doing something combat-like: the future of land-based warfare, perhaps. Instead, the black shiny faceless Phantom robot is engaged in "free play", manipulating a bunch of coloured kids blocks.

"We need data from it just interacting with its environment… this is today's menu," explains Sankaet Pathak, co-founder and CEO of two-year-old start-up Foundation Robotics, which is developing Phantom for military and civilian applications. Later he pushes its 80kg steel-covered body around the room to demonstrate its stability and shows me how it walks. While many companies are building autonomous humanoid robots for factories, homes or companions, Foundation claims it is the only US firm developing them specifically for a broad range of defence applications.

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That includes support roles like supply pickup, reconnaissance, recovery of equipment or casualties, and hazard inspection. But also, more controversially, warfighting to engage and neutralise threats – which Pathak calls "frontline weaponisation". Arming robots could keep human soldiers out of harm's way, he argues.

They could enter and search buildings, where chokepoints can be lethal. They could also reduce collateral damage. Land-based autonomy can be more precise than striking targets autonomously from the air, he says.

That is all well in the future for Foundation's Phantom. The company's first-generation model, Phantom MK-1, which I am shown, doesn't have a battery, isn't dust or waterproof and can't get back up if it falls. Its hands – still a major robotics challenge – lack strength and dexterity, and it has no proper wrists yet.

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A second-generation model is being built in another off-limits part of the facility. Not only will Phantom MK-2 be element proof, says Pathak, but a large battery will provide about six hours of runtime, and it will be able to recover if it falls and withstand more force. Better hands are crucial.

The robot's next set will move in far more ways, with wrists that help it to fire weapons, Pathak says. Foundation's goal, Pathak adds, is to produce at least 40,000 units a year by end of 2027 with costs in the long term less than $20,000 (£15,000) each. Zoe CorbynArming robots could keep soldiers out of harms way says Sankaet PathakPathak argues that China is pursuing the technology and the West needs to keep up.

He envisions hundreds of thousands of AI-driven humanoid robots forming a ground force, matching the growing use of autonomous drones in the skies. A fleet of humanoid robot soldiers could be a major deterrent to conflict, he says.

Financial markets are tracking the development closely as investors assess the likely impact.