Battlefield trial begins as Phantom MK-1 humanoid robots reach Ukraine

The US startup Foundation has deployed two Phantom MK-1 humanoid soldier robots to Ukraine for frontline reconnaissance as part of a battlefield trial to test their performance in real combat conditions. Unveiled in October 2025, the Phantom MK-1 is among the first humanoid robots designed specifically for military use, capable of handling various weapons systems and performing dangerous battlefield roles such as surveillance, bomb disposal, and logistics support. Ukraine has become a key testing ground for such emerging military technologies, with thousands of robotic operations already conducted there, mostly focused on logistics. Foundation plans to accelerate production of the Phantom MK-1, aiming to manufacture up to 50,000 units by the end of 2027. The robots, standing about 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing around 175–180 pounds, are intended for both industrial and defense applications, with the company opting to lease rather than sell them at an estimated $100,000 per unit annually. The robots rely primarily on camera-based vision