FCC bans certain foreign-made humanoid robots

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) took a major step in technology regulation by adding advanced mobile robots to its Covered List.

This move effectively bans the import and sale of new humanoid and four-legged robots from specific foreign manufacturers.

While the policy is technically neutral, it primarily targets Chinese firms, which currently dominate roughly 85% of the global humanoid robotics market.

The U.S. government cited significant national security and cybersecurity concerns, fearing that these network-connected devices could be used for surveillance or to disrupt critical infrastructure.

Interestingly, the ban is prospective, meaning robots already in use are not affected, and manufacturers can continue providing software updates until 2029.

As robotics technology becomes increasingly sophisticated, the FCC is signaling that data-gathering mobile robots require the same level of oversight as traditional telecommunications equipment, marking a new chapter in the complex tech rivalry between the U.S. and China.