The bottom line: The FCC blocks imports of mobile robots and power inverters from abroad, citing cybersecurity gaps and supply chain risks to US infrastructure.
The Trump administration has banned the import of advanced robots and power inverters, such as those used in solar installations. The FCC justifies the move with cyber risks and concerns about Chinese influence on critical infrastructure.
The Federal Communications Commission announced on Tuesday the blocking of imports of advanced robots as well as power inverters. The measure affects mobile robots such as humanoid or four-legged systems as well as power inverters typically used for grid integration of solar installations. This is the latest in a series of import restrictions on foreign drones and Wi-Fi routers.
A government task force concluded that these technologies endanger the US supply chain and could create cybersecurity gaps that expose critical infrastructure — for example through power outages or surveillance capabilities. The FCC classified these devices as risk technology, which blocks their approval and use in the United States. The ban applies only to new models; already approved devices and private inventories are not affected. The federal budget is not subject to the measure.
The FCC is implementing an exception procedure that allows manufacturers to request conditional approvals for new models through the Pentagon and Department of Homeland Security. According to the FCC, networked robotic systems create extensive attack vectors through which attackers could manipulate data and physical operations. Foreign-made robots could be used to surveil Americans, support foreign intelligence services, or be remotely controlled.
Source: www.politico.com · Published 28 July 2026
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