US Firm Plans to Build 50,000 Humanoid Robot Army for Defense & Industrial Work by 2027

Imagine a future where robots walk beside soldiers on the battlefield, handle dangerous industrial tasks, or work in factories around the clock without fatigue. That future may be closer than you think.

A Silicon Valley robotics startup called Foundation Future Industries has unveiled one of the most ambitious robotics manufacturing plans in history: to build and deploy up to 50,000 humanoid robots by the end of 2027. These robots aren’t just for assembly lines or warehouses — they’re designed for both defense missions and heavy industrial work, a dual-purpose vision that blurs the line between science fiction and reality.

What Are These Robots?

The heart of Foundation’s effort is the Phantom MK-1, a humanoid robot roughly 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing about 180 pounds. These robots are engineered to operate in environments built for humans, meaning factories, warehouses, and even combat zones where human limbs and tools are the norm.

Unlike traditional industrial robots — which are usually large, fixed-position arms bolted to a factory floor — humanoid robots are mobile and versatile. Phantom is built to carry loads, perform reconnaissance, assist in logistics, and undertake hazardous tasks that would put human workers at risk.

A Bold Production Timeline

Foundation’s timeline is nothing short of aggressive. According to company leadership, the plan is to:

Produce approximately 40 units this year to fine-tune manufacturing and real-world performance.

Scale output to 10,000 robots in 2026.

Ramp up further to 50,000 robots by the end of 2027.


To achieve this, Foundation is leveraging technology and talent from top teams previously involved with Tesla, Boston Dynamics, SpaceX, and other advanced robotics and manufacturing programs.

These robots aren’t expected to be sold outright. Instead, the company plans to lease each robot for around $100,000 per year, offering a subscription-style model that keeps robots in active use while generating recurring revenue.

Dual-Use Vision: Work and War

What makes this story especially striking is the explicit dual use of the robots.

For industry, Foundation argues that humanoid robots can perform tasks that are dull, dangerous, or dirty — the types of jobs that humans don’t want or that are hazardous to human health. If successful, robots could replace multiple human shifts per unit, potentially lowering labor costs and boosting productivity in logistics, manufacturing, and supply chain operations.

On the defense side, the company is positioning Phantoms as the “first body in” for dangerous missions — from reconnaissance and bomb disposal to supply transport in high-risk environments. Foundation’s CEO has emphasized that while the robots may be capable of carrying payloads or weapons, humans would retain control over lethal decisions, similar to current military drone operations.

Ethics, Risks, and Reality

The rapid expansion of humanoid robot development raises complex ethical and strategic questions.

Proponents say humanoid robots could reduce casualties by keeping human soldiers out of the most dangerous situations. They also promise a leap forward in industrial automation at a time when many sectors are facing labor shortages and rising production costs.

Critics warn that by lowering the human cost of combat, such systems might make the decision to enter conflict easier, potentially increasing the likelihood of escalation rather than preventing it. Additionally, existing data shows that humanoid robots still struggle with real-world tasks that humans routinely perform, from dexterous manipulation to unpredictable terrain navigation.

In fact, independent industry forecasts suggest that global humanoid robot shipments — across all companies and applications — are expected to number in the tens of thousands, not hundreds of thousands, by 2027. This highlights just how bold Foundation’s 50,000-unit target is compared with broader market trends.

A Technological Turning Point?

Whether Foundation meets its timeline or not, the company’s vision reflects a broader trend: the race to create general-purpose humanoid robots is heating up. From Tesla’s Optimus ambitions to other startups focused on humanoid labor solutions, the robotics landscape is rapidly evolving.

If even a fraction of these robots reach practical deployment by 2027, they could reshape how industries operate — and how nations think about defense strategy and workforce automation. For better or worse, the age of humanoid robots is no longer just a futuristic fantasy — it’s becoming a near-term reality.