U.S. Bans New Chinese Humanoid Robots
Synopsis
The United States has banned new Chinese-made humanoid robots, quadruped robots and connected power inverters from entering its market. The FCC said the restrictions are aimed at addressing national security risks and protecting AI infrastructure, adding robotics to a growing list of Chinese technologies facing tighter US oversight.
New imports of Chinese humanoid and quadruped robots and connected power inverters now face US ban policies, part of a tightening policy by the Trump administration regarding Chinese technology in the fields of AI and critical infrastructure.
The FCC stated the restrictions were in place to consider national security concerns that arise with introduction of connected devices into the United States.
The rule applies to all new products requesting equipment authorization in the US from that point on. Previous authorization will not necessarily be revoked for existing technology. However, the FCC's security framework could allow it to examine existing authorizations if national security is an issue.
Robotics joins the growing list of restricted technologies
The new rule will add to the FCC's earlier Covered List policy restricting sales of certain Chinese surveillance equipment and telecommunications gear. The cyber security risks posed by connected robots and power inverters arise from the machines' ability to collect data, transfer information over network connections, and operate in critical contexts, such as powering artificial intelligence data centers via the power infrastructure, regulators stated.
Unitree Robotics of China is expected to be among these restricted companies. The company is believed to own around 20 percent of the global humanoid robot industry, giving them the title of one of the largest suppliers.
The company's name appeared earlier in the year on a U.S. Department of Defense list of companies with perceived military ties.
Part of a Wider Tech Strategy
This new ruling adds semiconductors, advanced computing, and telecommunications equipment to the list of increasingly restricted technologies in the United States. It is also part of a broader push by Washington to become less dependent on China for both economic and national security.
Governments in Australia, Europe and other advanced global economies have also recently been making significant investments into their domestic capacity in AI, robotics and secure digital infrastructure.
Artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing have been singled out as critical sectors to focus in many recently adopted national industrial and innovation programs, The new ruling will prevent equipment designated as a national security threat from entering the U.S.
Market and will expand the FCC's technological security policy into the area of emerging robotics systems.
Source: Reuters
Pooja Malik is a business journalist with over six years of experience covering startups, entrepreneurship, and emerging trends. She has previously worked with leading media platforms such as YourStory Media and BW BusinessWorld, where she reported on business, policy, and market developments. Currently, she serves as Editor at The Inspirepreneur Magazine, where she writes and edits stories across business, lifestyle, and travel, with a focus on clarity, accuracy, and reader relevance.
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