San Francisco: Phantom robot developer Foundation Robotics is building a humanoid system for military and civilian roles, including possible frontline weaponisation, the BBC reported.
Sankaet Pathak, co-founder and chief executive officer of Foundation Robotics, said armed robots could reduce risks for human soldiers and limit collateral damage.
The first-generation Phantom MK-1 weighs 80kg but lacks a battery, weather protection and the ability to recover after falling, the report said.
Pathak said Phantom MK-2 would be element-proof, run for about six hours and recover after falls.
Foundation Robotics aims to produce at least 40,000 units a year by the end of 2027. Pathak said long-term costs could fall below USD 20,000 per unit.
The company has USD 24 million in research contracts to pilot the technology with the U.S. military. Two units are also being tested by the Ukrainian military.
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Dean Fankhauser of Robozaps said humanoid robots still face major limits in real-world military use.
Nicole van Rooijen of Stop Killer Robots warned that lethal autonomous weapons could lower the barrier to war and blur accountability.
