FCC Bans Foreign-Made Humanoid Robots Citing National Security Threat from China

Of the roughly 15,000 humanoid robots shipped globally in 2025, two Chinese companies—Unitree and AGIBOT—accounted for over 10,000. American developers like Tesla and Figure AI shipped only a few hundred. Now, the U.S. government is intervening to tilt the scales.[1]

On July 28, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) added foreign-produced "advanced robotic devices"—specifically naming humanoid and quadruped robots—to its Covered List. This effectively blocks new models from receiving the equipment authorization required to be imported, marketed, or sold in the United States.[2][3][4]

The ban, driven by a White House task force under the Trump administration, also targets connected power inverters used in solar arrays and data centers. The stated goal is twofold: to protect critical U.S. infrastructure from cyberespionage, and to insulate the domestic artificial intelligence supply chain from foreign dominance.[3][4][5][6]

The national security argument centers on the inherent nature of modern robotics. Humanoid robots and four-legged "robot dogs" are essentially mobile sensor packages. They navigate using high-resolution LiDAR, acoustic sensors, and electro-optical cameras that build detailed 3D maps of their surroundings.[3][4]

U.S. intelligence agencies argue these networked systems present massive attack surfaces. The FCC's determination document cited specific vulnerabilities, including a flaw discovered in early 2026 that could have allowed a "humanoid botnet" to self-spread, and a 2025 incident where Chinese robot dogs were found with apparent pre-installed backdoors granting full camera access.[4]

"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 threat determination.[5]

However, the actual capabilities of these robots often lag behind the marketing videos. While promotional materials show humanoids performing complex factory tasks or backflips, most deployed units are currently used in highly controlled research environments or for basic warehouse logistics. The immediate fear in Washington is less about a robot uprising and more about a trojan horse mapping a sensitive facility's layout.[6]

Beyond espionage, the ban operates as a blunt instrument of industrial policy. The administration is attempting to avoid a repeat of the rare-earths or solar-panel markets, where Beijing leveraged state subsidies to corner the global supply chain before U.S. competitors could scale.[7]

"The president has made clear that the United States must have independent and secure supply chains for critical and emerging technologies," an administration official stated, explicitly linking economic security to national security.[5]

The immediate casualty of the policy is Unitree, a leading Chinese robotics firm that recently partnered with Nvidia to integrate advanced AI chips into its hardware. Unitree robots are widely used by U.S. academic institutions for AI research due to their significantly lower cost compared to American alternatives like Boston Dynamics.[7]

The rule's broad definition—covering any software-controlled robot over two kilograms with wireless connectivity—has already caused collateral damage in the consumer market, sweeping up robotic lawn mowers and vacuums. While existing models are exempt, future iterations will require a "Conditional Approval" waiver from the Department of Defense to enter the U.S. market.[2][4]

The timing of the ban adds friction ahead of a planned September summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Beijing swiftly condemned the move as an act of protectionism designed to stifle technological competition.[1]

China's embassy in Washington urged the U.S. to "stop smearing Chinese companies" and warned that the government would take necessary measures to defend its businesses against what it views as an overreach of national security powers.[5]

For now, the ban creates a protected incubator for the U.S. robotics industry. Companies like Tesla, Figure AI, and Agility Robotics stand to benefit from a market devoid of cheaper Chinese competitors. Whether they can scale production to meet the demand—and match the aggressive pricing of their overseas rivals—remains the open question in the race to commercialize humanoid labor.[3][6]