The FCC has banned the import of specific Chinese robots and inverters to protect U.S. AI infrastructure from potential risks.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has implemented a ban on importing specific models of foreign humanoid and quadrupedal robots, as well as power inverters, in a move to safeguard vital supply chains for the artificial intelligence industry and critical infrastructure.
This decision primarily targets products from China and applies only to new models that have not yet received approval for sale in the U.S. The FCC retains the right to revoke licenses for already approved equipment, with exceptions likely for manufacturers from other nations, similar to past restrictions on routers and drones.
The FCC has expressed concerns that modern robots could collect extensive data and, if accessed remotely, pose risks to American businesses and critical infrastructure. Similar apprehensions have been voiced regarding imported inverters that are integral to energy grids and data centers.
"These devices could create vulnerabilities in supply chains that pose risks to the economic and national security of the U.S. and threaten the cybersecurity of America’s critical infrastructure," the FCC stated.
Targeting Chinese Companies
Among the primary targets of this new regulation is the Chinese company Unitree, which commands around 20% of the global humanoid robot market and has been associated with military connections by the Pentagon. The company's partnership with NVIDIA, which provides AI support through its Blackwell chips, has also raised alarms, although NVIDIA asserts that the data from these robots remains within U.S. borders.
China is a dominant player in the inverter market, with Sungrow Power Supply at the forefront. Huawei, which is already under significant U.S. sanctions, is also expanding its share in this sector.
In response to the FCC's actions, the Chinese Embassy in Washington urged the U.S. to listen to rational voices from both countries' business communities and to cease its negative stance towards Chinese firms. The Chinese government indicated it would take necessary measures against actions that could harm its interests.
Additionally, discussions from July revealed that the Trump administration was considering further restrictions on the use of Chinese AI models that have open weights. Recently, 25 companies, including Nvidia, Meta, and Microsoft, signed an open letter urging the government not to impose such limitations.
