FCC bans new Chinese humanoid robots over security risks

The Trump administration barred new foreign-made humanoid robots and other advanced robotic devices from entering the U.S. market on Tuesday, citing “unacceptable risks” to national security as Washington moves to restrict more Chinese technology.

The Federal Communications Commission said the ban applies to “advanced robotic devices,” including humanoid robots and animal-like quadrupeds. Many of the machines are made in China, which is competing with the United States to develop robotics and artificial intelligence.

“Advanced robotic devices collect data that could be leveraged by malign actors to surveil Americans, enhance the capabilities of foreign intelligence services, or to remotely commandeer the robots,” FCC officials wrote in their determination.

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said the agency was doing its part “to secure America’s critical supply chains.”

The FCC also banned the import of connected power inverters, components used to connect renewable energy sources and batteries to electrical grids and equipment in data centers. The agency said those devices could also pose risks to the U.S. economy. Power inverters are important to solar panels and data centers, and China is the world’s largest maker of them, led by companies including Sungrow Power Supply and Huawei, The Guardian reported. Huawei is already heavily sanctioned by the United States.

The restrictions apply only to robot and inverter models that have not yet been released. The FCC also has authority to revoke authorizations for models already approved for sale in the United States.

An administration official who declined to be named told Reuters that the policy reflects the White House’s push for domestic supply chains. “The President has made clear that the United States must have independent and secure supply chains for critical and emerging technologies like robotic devices and power inverters,” the official said. “Economic security is national security, and the Trump administration continues to implement a nuanced and multi-faceted policy agenda to reindustrialize America.”

The move comes as Chinese technology companies rapidly develop humanoid robots for factories, homes and other settings. They have also moved quickly to market the machines to businesses and consumers ahead of U.S. rivals such as Elon Musk’s Tesla and Boston Dynamics, the BBC reported.

Humanoid robots, often built with AI-enabled systems, are forecast by some analysts to see broad adoption in consumer and industrial uses. At the same time, rapid data center construction in the United States depends on reliable supplies of inverters, The Guardian reported.

The Chinese embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment, according to The Guardian. The BBC said it had also contacted the embassy for comment.