A humanoid war robot named Phantom MK1, developed by Foundation Robotics Lab, made its public debut as a DJ at Temple Nightclub in San Francisco. Though designed for military applications, the robot's performance showcased its versatility and potential for entertainment.
A humanoid war robot made an unexpected debut at a San Francisco nightclub. The sleek black Phantom MK1, built by Foundation Robotics Lab, entertained guests at the “GigaParty,” a club night marking 25 years of the 21st century. A video shared by an online news outlet shows the DJ’s arms moving smoothly and steadily. The transitions are precise, but the fist pumps are slightly offbeat from the fast tech-house music.
It was the robot’s first public appearance, though the firm claims that the US military already uses other Phantom models. Last week, an AI framework enabled humanoid robots to perform advanced athletic moves, including Cristiano Ronaldo’s mid-air spin and Kobe Bryant’s fadeaway jump shot. Phantom MK1, the first humanoid robot from San Francisco-based startup Foundation Robotics Lab, made its public debut not on the battlefield but behind a DJ booth. Although the company’s humanoid robots are intended to be used in military operations, warehouse management, and automobile manufacture, Phantom’s initial public debut demonstrated a different aspect of the business: entertainment. During a “Tech GigaParty,” which combined an AI trade show, networking event, and dance night, the event was held at Temple Nightclub. Phantom played a 30-minute set when a human DJ took the stage. According to SFGate, the tech-professional audience reacted with enthusiasm, enjoying the spectacle of a robot DJ. With its humanoid body, broad shoulders, and featureless black mask, Phantom moved with ease and purpose. Unlike a human DJ, who might move erratically, Phantom’s motions were precise, raising and lowering its arms in controlled arcs. According to SFGate, the set had been pre-programmed, with humans selecting the music in advance while the company spent weeks training the robot’s every motion.Though its current military applications focus on aircraft maintenance and refueling, Foundation positions Phantom as a future asset in warfare. The nightclub performance served as a strategic demonstration of the robot’s versatility beyond combat. Foundation Robotics Lab expanded its capabilities by acquiring Boardwalk Robotics, a Florida-based company that introduced the humanoid robot Alex in August 2024. The Foundation’s military-oriented robot, Phantom MK1, seems to expand on Alex’s concept. In contrast to its predecessor, which performed complex manipulation tasks from a stationary base, the Phantom MK1 is built for portability and adaptability. It weighs 175 pounds (80 kilos), stands 1.75 meters (5 feet 9 inches) tall, and can carry 20 kg (44 lbs) of cargo. Demonstration videos on the Foundation’s website show the MK1 performing tasks in beverage and glass manufacturing. Phantom MK1’s upper body houses processors, cameras, batteries, and sensors, serving as its operational hub. The lower body, which was still under development when the Foundation pitched to investors in 2024, features advanced actuators and balance systems to navigate rough terrain and confined spaces. With a target of more than $1 billion in recurring revenue annually, the business has set ambitious manufacturing objectives, hoping to deliver 40 robots in 2025, 10,000 in 2026, and over 20,000 by 2027, reports Mikekalil.com. The Foundation has even more ambitious aspirations than robotics. As a first step toward future space colonization, the corporation plans to utilize its revenues to build a colony in Antarctica. From there, it plans to establish outposts on the Moon, Mars, and other planets, establishing itself as a pioneer in infrastructure on Earth and beyond
Robotics Military HUMANOID ROBOT MILITARY ROBOTICS FOUNDATION ROBOTICS LAB PHANTOM MK1 NIGHTCLUB ENTERTAINMENT AI DEFENSE TECHNOLOGY
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