The United States government has announced a ban on the importation, marketing, and sale of new advanced humanoid and quadruped robots manufactured abroad, targeting primarily Chinese products due to national security concerns. The move, formalized by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Tuesday, also includes restrictions on connected power inverters used to link such devices to the U.S. electrical grid.
According to the FCC, these robotic systems—capable of collecting data and operating with internet connectivity—pose significant cybersecurity risks by potentially allowing hostile foreign actors to remotely surveil U.S. citizens or commandeer the devices. The White House emphasized that these threats could aid foreign intelligence services or enable remote control of the robots within American borders. The regulatory action applies specifically to new models not yet introduced to the U.S. market.
China currently dominates the global market for humanoid robots, holding an estimated 85 to 90 percent share. Companies such as Unitree and AGIBOT have collectively shipped thousands of units worldwide, far outpacing American manufacturers like Tesla and Figure AI, which have released only limited humanoid prototypes. Chinese production benefits from mass manufacturing capabilities and significant government support, with projections estimating the humanoid robot market could reach $15 billion by 2030.
The ban responds to a broader U.S. effort to secure critical supply chains amid rising concerns over Chinese technological influence. FCC Chairperson Brendan Carr stated the measure aims to protect American economic and national security interests. This move follows other recent U.S. restrictions on Chinese imports, including drones and advanced technology, and comes ahead of a scheduled summit between President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping planned for September.
The Chinese government criticized the ban as an act of protectionism under the guise of national security. A spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry denounced the measure for unfairly targeting Chinese companies and vowed to take necessary steps to safeguard their rights. Beijing has consistently condemned similar U.S. technology restrictions, asserting that such actions harm global supply chains and international cooperation.
Despite the U.S. restrictions, analysts suggest they may have limited effect on China’s robotics development given its large domestic market and alternative export options. Some experts also note that the ban excludes robots already approved or currently sold in the United States, focusing only on new imports.
The restrictions on power inverters, which play a key role in renewable energy and data infrastructure, could have wider implications but are expected to exert only modest pressure on U.S. markets. The ban’s implementation reflects growing Western scrutiny of imported technologies dependent on foreign control chips and software.
As the artificial intelligence and robotics sectors continue to expand rapidly, industry observers emphasize that advanced physical AI devices represent a significant economic opportunity, but also a challenging security dilemma. The U.S. government’s recent measures illustrate the balancing act policymakers face between fostering innovation and protecting national security in an increasingly competitive technological landscape.