San Francisco Startup Pitches Armed Humanoid Robots to Trump Administration

Foundation’s push comes as Chinese robotics firms are making dramatic public displays of their own machines. At this year’s CCTV Spring Festival Gala, humanoid robots from four Chinese startups performed martial arts routines, executed flips, and even demonstrated weapon skills during the Lunar New Year broadcast, which was watched by hundreds of millions. A young robotics company says it is in active discussions with officials tied to President Donald Trump about expanding the role of its humanoid machines within the US military, potentially including arming them in the future. While existing deals focus on research, logistics, and equipment manufacturing, the company’s leadership says it’s now in active discussions with Trump administration officials about taking things a significant step further: putting weapons in the hands of its humanoid robots. He called the robots “great weapons” and compared the technology to a modern-day shotgun. “In the hands of a criminal, it’s terrifying,” he said. “In the hands of a sheriff, it could be a godsend.” · Their flagship humanoid robot, named “Phantom,” is already being tested for non-combat roles. Foundation’s push comes as Chinese robotics firms are making dramatic public displays of their own machines. At this year’s CCTV Spring Festival Gala, humanoid robots from four Chinese startups performed martial arts routines, executed flips, and even demonstrated weapon skills during the Lunar New Year broadcast, which was watched by hundreds of millions.