[REVISION HISTORY]

US expands bans on foreign robotics and power inverters

Updated 50 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-09-03 12:15 UTC → 2026-09-12 19:48 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Following previous restrictions on telecom and surveillance gear, the FCC has significantly expanded its Covered List to include foreign-produced advanced robotic devices and network-connected power inverters. On 31 July 2026, the agency prohibited the import, marketing, or sale of new models of humanoid, quadruped, and other autonomous mobile robots weighing over 4.4 lb that feature sensors and wireless connectivity. The ban also targets inverters used to convert DC to AC for the electric grid, citing risks that foreign actors could manipulate the U.S. power grid or exfiltrate data. On 2 August 2026, the FCC extended these national security concerns to Wi-Fi-connected robot vacuums, lawn mowers, and pool cleaners. The agency cited a 2025 security breach involving 7,000 DJI Romo vacuums as a catalyst. On 5 August 2026, the FCC clarified that the ban on humanoid and quadruped robots specifically targets Chinese-produced models due to concerns regarding “back-door vulnerabilities”. By 15 August 2026, the FCC confirmed that all foreign-made robotic devices lacking existing clearance are banned. This includes devices exceeding a 4.4-pound threshold, a limit often met by self-emptying vacuums. The regulatory landscape expanded on 11 September 2026, when the U.S. House of Representatives passed a defense bill prohibiting the military from using humanoid robots connected to China and other adversarial nations. The bill cites risks of spying or sabotage within critical infrastructure. Amidst these restrictions, the FCC issued its first exemption, granting conditional approval to Swedish company Husqvarna for several robot lawn mower models, including the 305v IQ, 310v IQ, 420v IQ, and 440v IQ series, after the Department of Defense determined they do not pose a national security threat. The ruling has significant industry implications. Following its December 2025 bankruptcy and subsequent ownership transfer to Shenzhen PICEA Robotics, all new iRobot Roomba models now fall under the ban. In response to the regulatory environment, Roborock has proactively secured FCC clearance for its new flagship Saros 20 Flow Complete and Qrevo Edge 3 Pro models to ensure uninterrupted U.S. sales. As China continues to dominate the market—with firms like AgiBot and Unitree Robotics controlling much of the global shipment volume—U.S. distributors are reacting. RoboStore, formerly a major North American distributor for Unitree, announced a pivot to domestic manufacturing via a new entity, Robo Inc., with plans to open a facility in New York by early 2027.

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