According to AFP, the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on July 28 (local time) announced the addition of human-shaped robots, four-legged robots and electrical inverters to the list of products banned from import.
These are measures to minimize cybersecurity risks, protect key infrastructure and ensure national security.
The regulation only applies to new robot models and does not affect products that have been sold or licensed in the US. However, the US Department of Defense and the US Department of Homeland Security still have the right to grant exceptions for some cases.
This move takes place in the context of the Trump administration promoting domestic production.
Currently, most human-shaped robots sold in the US are produced abroad, especially in China. Some US businesses developing human-shaped robots include Boston Dynamics, Tesla, Figure AI and Agility Robotics.
Human-shaped robots are mainly used in closed industrial environments such as automobile factories or warehouses.
A US official said that the ban applies to both robots assembled completely abroad and robots assembled in the US but with over 35% of components of foreign origin.
