When employees asked whether Foundation would weaponize its robot, cofounder Mike LeBlanc responded: Are you a vegetarian? “If you are a m
The year-old robotics firm Foundation thinks its competitors are alarmingly pacifist, leaving money and American exceptionalism on the table.
So far, many humanoid companies have forgone military contracts. Humanoid startup Figure AI, reportedly in talks to raise $1.5 billion, published a “master plan” in 2022 in which it swore it would not “place humanoids in military or defense applications.” And when Tesla needed parts from China for its Optimus humanoids, Elon Musk had to assure the Chinese government that the components would not be used “for military purposes.”
Foundation is taking the opposite tack. LeBlanc said the company has already inked $10 million in defense contracts, including with the U.S. Air Force to use its robots for refueling and maintenance. The company is preparing to ramp up production, deciding between three states to build a factory, including in Ohio — which has thrown incentives at startups that set up shop in the state.
If Foundation has a say in the matter, the era of a humanoid-filled military is upon us. “It’s an absolute dereliction of duty not to have your robots be willing to fight for America,” LeBlanc said.
