Prototype Humanoid Robotic Soldiers Deployed to Ukraine for First Time

What Happened?

According to sources cited by Time Magazine, prototype humanoid robotic soldiers owned by the American company Foundation have been deployed to the front lines in Ukraine for the first time.

Several type of autonomous drones, both air and ground, have been used in Ukraine before, but the Foundation robots are the first robotic systems that mimic the appearance of human soldiers.

The Phantom MK-1 is the designation for the model of robotic soldiers being sent to Ukraine, and in addition to a humanoid appearance it reportedly has a dark metal chassis and a visor for a face.

Why it Matters

Autonomous weapons, especially aerial drones, have become the weapons of choice for both Russian and Ukrainian forces. Last year drones accounted for nearly eighty percent of casualties in Ukraine according to data from Russian and Ukrainian sources.

But humanoid robots are new to the conflict, and they could represent the next step in the evolution of robotic warfare. At present, Foundation’s co-founder and former U.S. Marine Matt Leblanc said at least two of the prototypes have been sent to Ukraine for testing under combat conditions.

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With so many aerial and ground robots already in Ukraine, why introduce a humanoid weapons system? There are several tactical reasons why a humanoid robot could offer capabilities not possessed by aerial drones or unmanned ground vehicles.

The first is mobility. Humans are surprisingly agile and able to move over almost any type of terrain, whereas wheeled or tracked vehicles are limited by the contours of geography. A humanoid design may be able to reach locations other ground robots can’t, and without triggering air defenses.

Second, by appearing human, systems like the MK-1 could be able to draw fire away from human soldiers who are nearby. Enemy targeting systems could mistake them for human while sparing flesh and blood troops in the vicinity.

Third, humanoid robotic soldiers could lead assaults where the initial wave is both crucial and highly likely to suffer casualties, enabling an attacking force to carry out high-risk missions while endangering fewer human lives. No humanoid robots today currently have any of those capabilities, but with testing and development they could within the next five to ten years.

Humanoid robots could also carry heavy equipment used by human soldiers, giving them extra mobility without sacrificing any weapons or ammunition. The weight of gear was a key challenge for troops who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan because they were weighed down equipment while facing an enemy who could move much faster on foot.

Robotic humanoid soldiers could change that equation and allow ground forces to carry more gear but with less weight on the backs of human troops.

How it Affects You

Ukraine has become a battle laboratory for testing new technologies such as humanoid robots. In much the same way that the Spanish Civil War allowed new types of airpower to be tested prior to World War Two, the war in Ukraine is now the top proving ground for advanced robotic and autonomous weapons systems. Those types of systems will likely shape and define warfare for the next decade.

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