Imagine a world where humanoid robots aren’t just sci-fi fantasies, but potential military personnel ready to patrol borders and fight battles. A San Francisco startup called Foundation is turning this wild concept into a potentially terrifying reality.

Foundation’s co-founder Mike LeBlanc, a former Marine, isn’t just dreaming about militarized robots - he’s actively pitching them to government officials, including a Trump administration representative. Their flagship robot, “Phantom”, isn’t your typical office assistant. At $100,000 per year, this humanoid can perform factory work or potentially defend national interests - with the option to be weaponized.

The Silicon Valley War Machine

While many tech companies have sworn off militarizing their robots, Foundation is boldly walking a different path. They’re courting defense contracts and investors, with ambitions that range from border patrol to potential lunar labor forces. The startup has already secured $10 million in defense contracts, including work with the U.S. Air Force.

The Ethical Minefield

Experts warn that weaponized robots introduce complex moral challenges. How can a robot distinguish between a medic and an enemy combatant? The potential for unintended consequences looms large, with bioethicists cautioning that these machines could act in ways we never anticipated.

The Future is Now

With Morgan Stanley estimating over 1 billion humanoid robots globally by 2030, Foundation is positioning itself at the bleeding edge of a technological revolution. Whether this is exciting innovation or a dystopian nightmare depends entirely on your perspective.