Foundation pitches humanoid robots for U.S. border surveillance

Foundation, a San Francisco-based robotics startup, is pitching its Phantom humanoid robot to U.S. national security agencies for use in border surveillance and reconnaissance. CEO Sankaet Pathak stated that the company has demonstrated the technology to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials and is in discussions with various branches, including the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

The Phantom robot is designed to autonomously navigate rugged, uneven terrain, map its environment, and distinguish humans from other obstacles. The company envisions the robots conducting 24/7 surveillance in difficult areas, such as remote terrain or underground tunnels, to flag potential crossings for human officers to review. This approach aims to increase officer safety by allowing machines to handle high-risk reconnaissance.

While Pathak indicated that the company is beginning to negotiate contracts, a DHS spokesperson stated that there are currently no formal agreements, pilot programs, or active prime contracts with Foundation. Although current models face weather resistance limitations, the company expects to release a more rugged second-generation model in the coming months.