US bans foreign robots and power inverters

The US government, through the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), is imposing a new import ban on "advanced robotic devices" and power inverters manufactured in foreign countries. This move targets nations that pose risks to US national security, although the FCC does not officially name a specific country. However, the impact will be greatest on China, which is ramping up humanoid robot production and is the world's leading producer of power inverters.

What is banned?

The ban covers "mobile" robots such as humanoid and quadruped models, but is not limited to walking robots. The FCC defines an "advanced robotic device" as a machine capable of ground locomotion, obstacle avoidance, navigation, equipped with sensors to perceive the environment, and a chip for network connectivity. It must also weigh more than 4.4 pounds (about 2 kg), including its docking station if applicable. This definition could even automatically ban future robot vacuums unless they obtain a waiver.

Impact on China

China is home to the world's leading power inverter manufacturers, including Sungrow and the already-blacklisted Huawei. These inverters are widely used in solar panel arrays and other renewable energy systems. The FCC justifies the ban by citing "unacceptable risks to the national security of the United States or the safety and security of United States persons."

How to get an exemption?

Companies can request a waiver to continue importing new products into the US, but the waiver application does not require improving the security of those robots or inverters. Instead, the US government focuses on where the devices are designed and manufactured, and every applicant must provide a detailed plan to start manufacturing them in the United States. Sources indicate that the FCC is expected to exempt many non-Chinese suppliers from the restrictions.

Existing devices and updates

The ban does not apply to products already in the US, so individuals and companies can keep using existing robots and inverters. Additionally, all robots and power inverters can continue receiving security and compatibility updates until January 1, 2029, thanks to an additional waiver. However, the FCC is misleading the public about how these updates work, as companies currently do not need to inform the FCC when they push security updates to their devices.