A U.S. robotics company has pitched its humanoid robot, named Phantom, to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials as a potential tool for patrolling and surveilling the southern border. Sankaet Pathak, founder and CEO of Foundation, stated that the company is engaged in discussions with various national security agencies, including the Air Force, Navy, Army, and DHS, about potential contracts and applications for their robots.
A DHS spokesperson confirmed to Fox News Digital that the department currently has no formal agreements, pilots, or active prime contracts with Foundation.
Pathak envisions the Phantom robot conducting reconnaissance and surveillance in rugged terrain that poses challenges for human agents, vehicles, drones, and fixed cameras. He suggested that if aerial and tower-based surveillance were entirely effective, human presence at the border might be unnecessary. Pathak believes humanoid robots can address the limitations of current automated systems in complex environments.
Foundation states that the Phantom robot can differentiate between humans and other obstacles, navigate uneven terrain autonomously, and map its surroundings. The company's objective is for these robots to perform reconnaissance functions independently and then flag potential border crossings for human officers to investigate.
Pathak also indicated that tunnels along the border represent another area where the technology could be applied, with Foundation exploring underground operational capabilities.
"Our biggest thing is if we can keep our officers in a safe place, and these robots can continue to surveil 24/7," Pathak said. He added that robots could identify significant activity, enabling human officers to respond when necessary. Pathak suggested that a pilot program could commence in the near future, with larger-scale deployments possible within months.
While current models face limitations in weather resistance, a second-generation Phantom robot is anticipated in the coming months. This updated version is designed to be waterproof, dustproof, and more robust for outdoor use.
Foundation is open to arming robots for border operations if requested by the federal government, Pathak noted. However, he emphasized that the robots are not envisioned as independent decision-makers in enforcement actions in the immediate future. "They will detect and then flag and then a human would decide kind of like what the next step it needs to be," Pathak explained.