US Government Robot Ban Also Includes Vacuum Cleaners

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently announced a ban on foreign-made robots and power inverters, and this ban also covers robot vacuum cleaners, according to The Verge. The FCC provided a statement to the publication confirming that robot vacuums are included because they technically meet the ban's broad definition. Engadget has contacted the FCC for confirmation and will update the article upon response.

The FCC defines "advanced robotic devices" as software-controlled autonomous robots that can perceive their environment, weigh more than 4.4 pounds (including their dock), travel across the ground, and offer wireless connectivity. As The Verge notes, this description could fit a wide range of devices, many of which are not the bipedal robots popular in Silicon Valley.

The ban on foreign-made power inverters is similarly broad. Based on the FCC's definition, any foreign-made portable battery with an AC outlet and a companion app could theoretically be included. This could put accessory makers like Anker and others in a difficult position.

Like the ban on wireless routers, robot vacuums currently available in the US can continue to be sold, but any new model will require the company to apply for a waiver. And because the vast majority of robot vacuums are not manufactured in the US — companies like Dreame and Roborock are Chinese, for example — the entire industry could be impacted.

While there are potential security risks in owning a device that can autonomously map and navigate your home, the FCC is not concerned about existing robot vacuums. It is unclear how the ban improves security beyond inconveniencing the companies offering these products in the US.