The FCC just made a quiet move that could redefine the U.S. robot landscape. On July 28, the commission added “advanced robotic devices” to its Covered List, effectively blocking new equipment authorizations for many foreign-made robots. This isn’t just humanoids; the rule sweeps in any mobile robot over 4.4 pounds that senses, moves, and connects wirelessly – from robot vacuums to industrial quadruped bots.
The potential fallout? Staggering. OpenMind research suggests robot prices could triple, turning a $50,000 unit into $150,000. IDC modeling forecasts U.S. humanoid volumes could be down 41% by 2027 and 58% by 2030, equating to over $6 billion in foregone revenue.
Experts are sharply divided. Ghost Robotics CEO Gavin Kenneally views it as crucial, citing “Spyware on Chinese robots inside the US is an active fact.” But FORT Robotics CEO Samuel Reeves argues the ban is overly broad, needlessly impacting allies. While Cobot CEO Brad Porter calls it a “sensible first step,” he cautions, “protection and leadership are different things.” The stakes for American innovation are immense.