FCC Rule Banning Foreign Robots Could Sweep Up New Home Robot Vacuums

On Sunday, the Federal Communications Commission issued an important update clarifying how its national security restrictions on equipment from certain foreign companies apply to robots. The update may be broader than it first seemed. In addition to humanoid robots that walk and dance, the language could also apply to household devices like robot vacuums and other mobile technology.

The key phrase in the FCC’s statement is “advanced robotic devices,” under which the agency includes autonomous robots that are “capable of locomotion, obstacle avoidance, navigation or movement on the ground”. The rule also requires the device and its ground station to weigh over 4.4 pounds. Most robot vacuums are heavy enough to be affected, although fuzzy toys like SwitchBot’s AI pets are too light to be included.

Any of these devices that use components from foreign companies may be banned, but your current Roombaisn’t at risk, since it applies...

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