The Federal Communications Commission updated its list of restricted equipment Tuesday to ban new foreign-produced advanced robotics and connected power inverters, citing heightened national security and critical infrastructure risks.
The decision adds two emerging technology sectors to the agency’s Covered List: mobile advanced robotic devices—including humanoid and quadruped “robot dog” models — and foreign-manufactured power inverters, which are widely used to convert direct current from renewable energy sources like solar panels into grid-ready electricity.
The restrictions apply strictly to new device models seeking entry into the U.S. market. Under federal law, most electronic equipment must receive FCC authorization before it can be imported, marketed, or sold domestically. Existing models that have already received FCC clearance, as well as devices previously purchased by consumers or federal agencies, are unaffected by the rule.
The action follows formal determinations by a White House-convened interagency panel of national security officials, who concluded that foreign-made robotics and power inverters pose unacceptable risks to economic security and public safety regardless of their specific country of origin.
Security agencies warned that remotely connected power inverters could allow foreign actors or cybercriminals to collect sensitive data, execute cyberattacks, or disrupt the U.S. power grid by shutting down equipment remotely. For advanced robotics, officials pointed to risks of physical manipulation, surveillance, and the potential for bad actors to remotely commandeer networked devices.
“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,” FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said in a statement.
Under the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act, the FCC cannot independently add items to the Covered List; it acts at the direction of executive branch national security entities.
Manufacturers can seek exemptions through a “Conditional Approval” process managed by the Department of War for advanced robotics or the Department of Homeland Security for power inverters. Equipment granted conditional approval will remain eligible for FCC authorization.
The restriction follows similar moves by the FCC in recent months targeting foreign-produced uncrewed aircraft systems (drones), critical drone components, and consumer-grade Wi-Fi routers.
