FCC Bans Foreign Advanced Robotic Devices Over Security Risks

The Federal Communications Commission expanded its list of banned foreign-made technology to include advanced robotic devices. This new restriction encompasses robot vacuum cleaners, lawnmowers, and sidewalk delivery robots, which the agency identifies as national security risks related to cybersecurity and data collection by foreign powers.

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr stated the move aims to secure critical supply chains. Under the new rules, new device models are blocked from receiving the authorization required for sale in the United States unless they obtain a waiver. To qualify for such a waiver, a manufacturer must ensure at least 65% of the device's components are sourced domestically. Surgical robots and self-driving cars remain exempt from these restrictions.

The ban does not affect existing devices already in use or models previously approved for import and sale. However, the policy is expected to heavily impact Chinese-owned brands, including Roborock, Ecovacs, Narwal, Dreame Technology, eufy, and Roomba.