The US communications agency FCC has placed new humanoid and quadruped robots from China on its security list, thereby halting their market approval. This is based on two security investigations by the White House from July 27, which attest to unacceptable risks for critical supply chains associated with the devices. China announced it would respond with “resolute” countermeasures.
FCC classifies robots and inverters as security risks
On July 28, the Federal Communications Commission added two new categories to its so-called Covered List: “advanced robotic devices” – mobile robots such as humanoids and quadrupeds – as well as grid-connected inverters from abroad. For listed devices, the agency no longer grants device approvals, as explained in its FAQs, which are mandatory for import and sale in the USA. Only new models without existing US approval are affected.
Already approved robots may continue to be sold, imported, and used, and will receive security and software updates through an exception rule until at least January 1, 2029; federal agencies remain completely exempt. The largest affected party is likely the Chinese market leader Unitree, whose robotic dogs and humanoids account for about 85 percent of the relevant US market, according to market observers. Security researchers had previously described a Bluetooth vulnerability in several Unitree models, through which attackers could gain root access and which could autonomously spread to neighboring devices.
Beijing threatens countermeasures
China’s Ministry of Commerce described the measure as discriminatory and demanded its immediate withdrawal, as reported by CNBC. Beijing announced it would respond “resolutely” and protect the interests of Chinese companies. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated, according to NPR, that “all necessary measures” would be taken. The Chinese government accuses Washington of overextending the concept of national security, ultimately harming American companies and consumers themselves.
The timing is delicate: The ban comes at a time of strained trade relations just before a planned meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping. On the stock market, the Hong Kong-listed robot manufacturer UBTech reacted with an interim price drop of more than six percent. The decision is part of a growing number of mutual restrictions in the AI and robotics sector, as was recently observed with export controls for AI models and chips between the two countries.
It will be crucial whether Beijing actually implements the announced countermeasures or whether both sides seek a compromise in light of the upcoming Trump-Xi meeting. For US companies relying on affordable Chinese robotics hardware, the availability of new models will noticeably narrow – replacements will have to come from non-Chinese manufacturers or undergo a complicated exception process.
