FCC robot inverter ban blocks new foreign-made connected devices

The FCC robot inverter ban announced Tuesday blocks the import, marketing and sale of new foreign-made mobile robots and connected power inverters in the United States. The Federal Communications Commission said the products were added to its Covered List after national security agencies found that the devices could expose U.S. supply chains and networks to unacceptable risks.

The action applies to new device models, according to an FCC fact sheet. Products already bought by consumers, and devices that previously cleared the FCC’s equipment authorization process, are not covered by the new restriction.

The Covered List is the FCC register for communications equipment and services that the agency says present an unacceptable threat to U.S. national security or to the safety of Americans. Adding a product class to the list limits its ability to receive the approvals needed for importation, marketing or sale in the U.S. market.

What products does the FCC robot inverter ban cover?

The FCC said the new entries include “advanced robotic devices,” a category covering mobile robots such as humanoid and quadruped robots. The agency also added connected power inverters, according to the fact sheet.

The regulator said the changes followed determinations by national security agencies that foreign-produced mobile robots and connected power inverters could create supply-chain vulnerabilities, cybersecurity risks or other unacceptable risks. NextGov/FCW reported that an FCC official told reporters the covered devices were selected because they often include remote connectivity features that can create security weaknesses.

The FCC said selected devices may receive exemptions from the Department of Defense or the Department of Homeland Security. The agency did not say in the fact sheet which manufacturers or countries would receive exemptions.

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr framed the move as part of a broader supply-chain security effort. “Following President Trump’s leadership, the FCC will continue to do our part to secure America’s critical supply chains and, with today’s action, the FCC is acting in lock step with our national security agencies to do just that,” Carr said in the FCC release.

How the Covered List affects device makers

For manufacturers, placement on the Covered List can limit access to the U.S. market for future products that need FCC approval. The order does not require consumers to discard products they already own, and it does not retroactively cancel authorizations for models that had previously completed the agency’s review process.

Reuters reported Tuesday that the new bans are aimed at Chinese suppliers of the affected products and that many non-Chinese suppliers are expected to qualify for exemptions. Reuters said a similar pattern followed earlier FCC restrictions on foreign-made drones and routers.

The robotics decision comes as China expands its humanoid robotics sector. PYMNTS reported in February that China had more than 140 companies active in the field, with robots moving into settings including factories, hotels and offices. The report also said cities including Beijing had created investment funds of more than $26 billion since late 2024 to support the industry.

This story draws on original reporting from PYMNTS.