The commission cited concerns about cybersecurity attacks and supply chain vulnerabilities.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced a ban on imports of humanoid robots from China due to “unacceptable risks” to U.S. national security. The ban includes humanoid, four-legged, and biped robots. The action is the result of a group of federal agencies, convened by President Trump, that determined the network capabilities of the advanced robots posed a threat to national security.
The FCC stated, “In their determinations, national security agencies referenced, among other things, unacceptable risks, including that these devices could create supply chain vulnerabilities that could disrupt U.S. economic and national security and could create a cybersecurity risk that threatened American critical infrastructure.”
The ban also included power inverters that convert DC electricity to AC electricity, which can then be fed into the U.S. energy grid. Officials are concerned that the inverters could be manipulated or disrupted, which could compromise the U.S. electricity supply. The FCC also highlighted the potential cybersecurity risks posed by the inverters, as they could be switched off, used to harvest data, or facilitate remote surveillance.
The commission explained, “The determination included an exemption for advanced robotics devices and power inverters that the Department of War (DoW) or (in the case of power inverters) the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have granted ‘Conditional Approval’ after finding that such device or class of devices do not pose such unacceptable risks.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Chairman Carr and members of the FCC as they seek to protect communications, technology, and infrastructure in the U.S.
- For President Trump and Cabinet members as they work to increase national security.
- For wisdom for officials in the Pentagon and DHS as they determine any necessary exemptions from the ban.
Sources: Federal Communications Commission
