From The San Francisco Standard · · 2m
SoMa startup builds war robots for Pentagon
SoMa startup Foundation aims to build humanoid robots for battlefield use, despite past factory focus.
In brief
SoMa startup Foundation aims to build humanoid robots for battlefield use, despite past factory focus. SoMa startup Foundation is developing humanoid robots for military use after pivoting from factory applications. Originally reported by The San Francisco Standard.
Foundation's military pivot
SoMa startup Foundation shifted from factory robots to battlefield applications in 2025.
Phantom MK-2 robot
200-pound, 6-foot-tall aluminum humanoid robot encased in dustproof and waterproof materials.
Sankaet Pathak's vision
Pathak claims robots could reduce casualties in combat compared to traditional weapons.
Military claims and doubts
Foundation claims to have sent robots to Ukraine and Gaza, but experts question practicality.
Eric Trump connection
Eric Trump joined Foundation as chief strategy adviser in March 2026, despite no Pentagon contract.
Contract disputes
Foundation claimed $24 million Pentagon contract, but federal records show no such deal.
Robot capabilities
MK-1 robots struggle with tasks like loading mortar shells, taking 15 minutes to complete one attempt.
Expert skepticism
Experts say humanoid robots for combat are decades away due to unpredictable battlefield conditions.
Ukraine deployment
Foundation claimed to test robots in Ukraine, but no border crossings were confirmed.
Gaza tunnel test
Foundation sent MK-1 robot into Gaza tunnels, seeking Israel Defense Forces collaboration.
Robot leasing prices
MK-1 leases at $100,000 per unit annually with 100-unit minimum, MK-2 at $75,000.
Military ethics concerns
Pathak declined to comment on autonomous killing capabilities, noting robots can't do this yet.
Competitor focus
Tesla and Figure AI focus on factory applications, not military use.
Pivoting employees
Several employees quit after Foundation shifted focus to combat applications.
Foundation's history
Pathak founded Synapse in 2014, which filed for bankruptcy in 2024 after $50 million funding.
Current military plans
Foundation aims to expand production from 1,000 to 5,000 units annually with AMD partnership.
The main idea
SoMa startup Foundation is developing humanoid robots for military use after pivoting from factory applications.
