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Foundation, a U.S. robotics developer, has presented autonomous humanoid robots as a potential tool for Department of Homeland Security operations along the southern border. The company’s Phantom robot is designed to navigate difficult terrain, detect human activity, and conduct surveillance in areas that present challenges for traditional patrol methods, drones, or fixed monitoring systems.
Founder and CEO Sankaet Pathak indicated the company is in active discussions with multiple federal agencies, including the Air Force, Navy, Army, and DHS regarding potential contract negotiations and operational applications. A DHS spokesperson stated the department currently maintains no formal agreements, pilot programs, or active contracts with Foundation as of now.
Pathak described Phantom’s capabilities as including autonomous terrain navigation, human detection, environmental mapping, and 24-hour surveillance potential. The company envisions robots conducting reconnaissance missions in complex landscapes and underground tunnel systems, with human officers responding to flagged activity rather than robots making independent enforcement decisions.
Weather durability remains a current limitation of the existing model, though Foundation plans to release an enhanced second-generation version with improved waterproofing and ruggedness in coming months. Pathak stated the company would consider weaponizing robots if requested by federal authorities, but emphasized that enforcement decisions would remain under human control.
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