# From Combat to Space: Mike LeBlanc on Humanoid Robotics

- Show: [The Robot Report Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast)
- Published: 2025-12-05
- Length: 57m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2025-12-05-from-combat-to-space-mike-leblanc-on-humanoid-robotics
- Listen: https://soundcloud.com/robot-report-podcast/from-combat-to-space-mike-leblanc-on-humanoid-robotics

## Summary

Mike LeBlanc, co-founder of Foundation and former founder of Cobalt Robotics, discusses his transition from security robots to building the Phantom Mark One humanoid for military and space applications. He explains how Foundation’s physics-action AI models reduce reliance on teleoperation compared to competitors like Tesla, enabling faster deployment of a targeted fleet. LeBlanc details the company’s aggressive goal to deploy 10,000 robots within a year, leveraging his previous experience to navigate manufacturing and hiring challenges in the humanoid sector.

## Chapters

- [0:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2025-12-05-from-combat-to-space-mike-leblanc-on-humanoid-robotics#t=7) Introduction and News: Kuka, iRobot, and Humanoid
- [17:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2025-12-05-from-combat-to-space-mike-leblanc-on-humanoid-robotics#t=1061) Mike LeBlanc on Cobalt Robotics and Second-Time Founding
- [25:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2025-12-05-from-combat-to-space-mike-leblanc-on-humanoid-robotics#t=1548) Foundation’s Phantom Mark One and Military Applications
- [29:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2025-12-05-from-combat-to-space-mike-leblanc-on-humanoid-robotics#t=1787) Physics-Action AI Models vs. Teleoperation
- [32:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2025-12-05-from-combat-to-space-mike-leblanc-on-humanoid-robotics#t=1955) Deploying 10,000 Robots and Manufacturing Scale
- [36:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2025-12-05-from-combat-to-space-mike-leblanc-on-humanoid-robotics#t=2199) Combat Use Cases: Breaching and IED Protection
- [45:56](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2025-12-05-from-combat-to-space-mike-leblanc-on-humanoid-robotics#t=2756) Humanoid Form Factor and Fleet Management
- [49:57](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2025-12-05-from-combat-to-space-mike-leblanc-on-humanoid-robotics#t=2997) Space Exploration and Mars Habitation

## Topics

- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Security & privacy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/security-and-privacy)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Foundation (company)
- Cobalt Robotics (company)
- Phantom Mark One (product)
- Tesla (company)
- Optimus (product)
- Kuka (company)
- iRobot (company)
- Humanoid (company)
- Synapse (company)
- Willow Garage (company)
- Fetch Robotics (company)
- Toyota Research Institute (company)
- General Motors (company)
- Amby Robotics (company)
- Vandaland (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Kyle Vogt, founder of Twitch, Cruise, and The Bot Company, on AI, home robotics, and small-team innovation](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/go-no-go/2025-12-05-kyle-vogt-founder-of-twitch-cruise-and-the-bot-company-on-ai-home-robotics-and-s) (Go/No-Go)
- [Barrett Ames (CTO / REK)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/just-gonna-send-it/2026-05-27-barrett-ames-cto-rek) (Just Gonna Send It)
- [Ep. 20 | Dr. Aaron Edsinger, CEO & Co-founder of Hello Robot and Former Head of Robotics at Google on Humanity in Robots](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2021-03-18-ep-20-dr-aaron-edsinger-ceo-co-founder-of-hello-robot-and-former-head-of-robotic) (Moore's Lobby)
- [Vision Mode: Agency Over Intelligence | Ep. 29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/built-2-scale/2025-11-06-vision-mode-agency-over-intelligence-ep-29) (Built 2 Scale)
- [490: Wait Until Physics Has Happened](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2024-11-28-490-wait-until-physics-has-happened) (Embedded.fm)

## Citing this page

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