US bans import of foreign-made humanoid robots on national security grounds

The United States has implemented a ban on the importation of foreign-made humanoid and quadrupedal robots, a move framed by the Trump administration as a necessary measure for national security. This decision significantly impacts the availability of advanced robotic devices in the U.S. market, as most humanoid robots are currently manufactured outside the country, with China being a primary source.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has added these "advanced robotic devices" to its list of restricted items. This category encompasses mobile robots that imitate the gait of humans and animals. The FCC's action follows conclusions from a White House-convened task force, which determined that foreign-manufactured robots could pose a risk to U.S. critical infrastructure and the safety of its residents. The report cited instances, such as a French programmer reportedly accessing data from thousands of Chinese-made DJI robotic vacuums.

While the ban is stringent, the Pentagon and the Department of Homeland Security retain the authority to grant exemptions on a case-by-case basis. The FCC also extended the restrictions to include foreign-made current inverters, devices crucial for converting power for the electrical grid. Importantly, this prohibition applies only to new models and does not affect robots already sold or authorized within the United States.

This policy shift aligns with the administration's broader efforts to bolster the domestic technology industry. Several U.S. companies, including Boston Dynamics, Tesla, Figure AI, and Agility Robotics, are already engaged in manufacturing humanoid robots within the country. A U.S. government official clarified that the ban would cover both fully assembled imported robots and those assembled in the U.S. if more than 35% of their components are foreign-made.