- The FCC has added new categories of imported robotics to the Covered List, meaning that the imports cannot be carried out into the United States.
- The FCC is introducing new restrictions; in particular, the agency’s rationale for adding these rules is that the use of such systems poses a risk to U.S. national security.
- According to the rationale, the reason for these restrictions is that the use of such robots could enable critical infrastructure to be targeted by foreign adversaries.
In a statement, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) said it has added to its Covered List new categories of imported robotics that, after the new rules take effect, cannot be imported into the United States. For more, IEEE Spectrum has published a post about FCC materials.
As explained, Covered List, which the FCC has published since 2021, describes obligations related to how, in particular, foreign-produced devices can be restricted or prohibited. The FCC says that 28 pounds of robotics will be included in the list, which would be enough to enable robots to carry out certain tasks.
IEEE Spectrum also notes that the new rules include: first, restrictions on the sale or transfer of such devices. Also, the publication notes that where the FCC has issued a “country neutral” approach, this means that the U.S. will apply restrictions regardless of the country of origin of the devices.
According to the rationale, the FCC refers to so-called “advanced robotic devices,” which the agency says could enable cyberattacks by malicious actors. The text also states that the Department of Defense (DOD) argues that these devices could be used to carry out attacks on U.S. critical infrastructure, and that, in turn, mobile robots could be used to infiltrate and gather information.
In addition, in the context of IEEE Spectrum, the DOD’s explanation says that the materials in question are about robots Unitree, among others, based in China and also in other countries. The publication notes that the FCC says it is pursuing a “country neutral” policy that would apply to the United States regardless of where the devices are made, including in China.
Reactions from the robotics industry have been mixed, as IEEE Spectrum writes. Some industry representatives claim that the new rules are unnecessary, while others say they could make it harder for companies to innovate and compete.
According to Forbes, the FCC officially published its determination on June 27, 2026, titled “National Security Determination on the Threat Posed by Foreign-Produced Advanced Robotic Devices.” The document states that “advanced robotic devices” could be used by “malign actors” for purposes including the exploitation of U.S. critical infrastructure through robotic systems.