FCC Bans Chinese Robots and Power Inverters Over Security

The Federal Communications Commission has expanded its restrictions on foreign technology to include humanoid and quadruped robots, as well as connected power inverters used in data centers and renewable energy. FCC Chair Brendan Carr stated these measures are intended to mitigate national security risks and accelerate the onshore production of critical technology. These latest bans follow a series of restrictions implemented since December targeting foreign drones and routers.

While the FCC has granted waivers to non-Chinese suppliers, the policy effectively excludes Chinese manufacturers, a move that has already triggered retaliation from China. Carr argued that the agency must act now to prevent millions of high-risk devices from entering the country over the next five years.

FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez expressed support for the underlying security objectives but criticized the implementation of the policies. Gomez described the rollout as haphazard and chaotic, suggesting that a lack of transparency makes the restrictions appear more like industrial policy than genuine security precautions.