US bans humanoid robots from China, citing ‘unacceptable risks’ | Trump administration | The Guardian
Move comes as the Trump administration has increasingly sought to keep Chinese technology out of the US The Federal Communications Commission announced a ban on humanoid robots from China on Tuesday, saying that the technology poses “unacceptable risks” to...
Key takeaways
- The United States has just imposed a ban on new foreign‑made humanoid (and quadruped) robots, citing “unacceptable risks” that such devices could be used to collect data for hostile intelligence services or be remotely commandeered; the Federal Communications Commission says the move is aimed at China, which supplied roughly 85 % of global humanoid robot deployments last year.
- Industry analysts warn the restriction could hamper U.S. innovation by cutting off cheap, test‑bed platforms while also threatening Chinese manufacturers that were planning IPOs and could prompt retaliatory limits on rare‑earth exports and market access for U.S. firms.
- Experts note the ban may also sweep up Canadian and European robots, raising broader concerns for the sector.
- Meanwhile, Chinese automaker BYD has confirmed it will unveil its first humanoid robot in August, joining other Chinese firms such as Aimoga, SAIC‑GM and Xpeng in expanding into the humanoid market.
Move comes as the Trump administration has increasingly sought to keep Chinese technology out of the US The Federal Communications Commission announced a ban on humanoid robots from China on Tuesday, saying that the technology poses “unacceptable risks” to the country’s national security. The move comes as the Trump administration has increasingly sought to keep Chinese technology out of the US.
The FCC defines the banned robots as “advanced robotic devices”, which include humanoids and animal-like quadrupeds.
“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 determination of the threat posed by robots.
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