Tech Brief (Jul. 30): U.S. Takes Aim at Chinese Robot-Makers With Sweeping Import Ban

U.S. takes aim at Chinese robot-makers with sweeping import ban

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Tuesday banned imports of new foreign-made advanced robotic devices including humanoids, a major blow to China as one of the leading developers of robotics globally. The agency cited national security and cybersecurity concerns to justify the ban, which covers a broad range of mobile robots weighing over 2 kilograms that use sensors, network, Bluetooth connectivity and AI software for autonomous movement and navigation. In a January report, IDC projected global shipments of humanoid robots to reach about 18,000 units in 2025, a large portion of which came from Chinese companies led by Unitree Robotics and Agibot.