The United States government has enacted a new import ban on "advanced robotic devices" and power inverters manufactured in foreign countries, according to a Tuesday announcement from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The prohibition, first reported by Reuters, covers "mobile" robots including humanoid and quadrupedal models, though the scope extends well beyond walking machines.
FCC Targets Foreign Robotics and Energy Equipment
Although the FCC maintains the policy is not aimed at any single nation, the ban is expected to disproportionately affect China. The country has been accelerating its humanoid robot production, with some models gaining viral attention for performances ranging from Michael Jackson dance routines to mixed martial arts exhibitions and appearances on America's Got Talent. In the United States, Tesla has reportedly discontinued its Model S and Model X vehicles to free up capacity for producing its Optimus humanoid robot.
The restrictions also extend to power inverters, critical components in solar panel arrays and other renewable energy systems. China hosts two of the world's leading power inverter manufacturers: Sungrow and Huawei, the latter of which was already on a US government blacklist.
The FCC cited "unacceptable risks to the national security of the United States or the safety and security of United States persons" as the justification for the restrictions.
What Qualifies as an Advanced Robotic Device
The FCC published a FAQ page defining an "advanced robotic device" as any machine capable of locomotion, obstacle avoidance, navigation, or ground-based movement. Such devices must also be equipped with a sensor that perceives the surrounding environment and a chip enabling network connectivity. Additionally, the device must weigh more than 4.4 pounds, a figure that includes any docking station it may use.
This broad definition means that even future robot vacuums would fall under the ban unless their manufacturers secure a waiver. The FCC's National Security Determination, which underpins the new policy, explicitly references reporting by The Verge on security vulnerabilities found in DJI's Romo robotic vacuum cleaner. The agency does not appear to be limiting the ban to robots with legs.
Waivers and Manufacturing Requirements
Similar to the existing US ban on foreign-made routers, companies may request waivers if they wish to continue importing new products into the American market. However, the waiver application process does not require companies to enhance the security of the robots or inverters they produce.