There has recently been a global outage concerning the conflicts in the Middle East. With advances in technology, experts suggest that robots could be deployed in wartime. Several reports indicate that these robots may operate in controversial areas, such as battlefields.
This assertion follows a report that revealed a startup has deployed humanoid machines to Ukraine for strategic security purposes along the border.
How will robots be utilized for military purposes? In an interview, Mike LeBlanc, a combat veteran and co-founder of Foundation, a robotics company, revealed that earlier this year, the company sent two Phantom Mk-I humanoid robots to Ukraine. These units were dispatched in February to assist with frontline reconnaissance during the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Currently, the Phantom Mk-I platform is undergoing testing in various industrial environments across different countries. If the robots pass the final testing round, they will be the first humanoid robots used directly in a conflict zone.
Looking ahead, LeBlanc notes that the company believes robots could reduce the risk to human soldiers. He also explained that the upcoming versions of the Phantom system will be able to handle the same weapons that human fighters currently use.
According to another report, as part of internal testing, the Mk-I prototype can already hold and operate a variety of firearms. This includes shotguns and pistols. The company has also tested mock military equipment to assess the robots' operational potential for battlefield roles. The reports also highlight that Ukraine has increased the integration of robotic systems into its military operations.
According to data from United 24, more than 7,000 robotic missions were completed in January alone. Most of these operations were carried out by robots used for logistics tasks, such as delivering weapons, ammunition, and food supplies to soldiers in war zones.
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