Foreign robot ban targets China over security fears

Although the final language applies broadly to foreign-produced equipment, China reportedly sits at the center of the crackdown. Officials want to prevent surveillance and cyberattacks while reducing America's reliance on Chinese technology. They also hope companies will move more manufacturing to the United States.

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That sounds useful, but these machines also see and hear a lot. Many come equipped with cameras and microphones. Other sensors help them map rooms, recognize objects and respond to people. The robot may connect to cloud services for AI processing. A company might also use that connection to install software updates or provide remote support. That connection is where the FCC sees a potential problem.

The FCC did not tell Americans to surrender robots they already own. The government also did not automatically order retailers to remove every foreign robot from store shelves. Instead, the agency added foreign-produced advanced robotic devices to its Covered List.

Equipment on that list generally cannot receive a new FCC authorization. Most connected electronic products need that approval before companies can import, market or sell them in the United States. As a result, the restrictions mainly affect new models that have not received authorization. Previously approved products can remain available, although the FCC reportedly retains the authority to revoke earlier approvals.

Companies may also seek conditional approval. Federal national security agencies can review a device and decide whether it presents an acceptable level of risk. Officials expect many non-Chinese suppliers to reportedly receive exemptions. That suggests the broader foreign-made restriction will hit Chinese manufacturers the hardest.

Power inverters rarely attract the same attention as walking robots. Still, they play an important role in America's energy system. An inverter converts direct current electricity into alternating current electricity. Solar panels and batteries generate or store direct current. Homes, power grids and data centers generally need alternating current.

Many inverters today connect to the internet. Operators use those connections to check performance and install updates. Some systems also allow remote adjustments. However, remote access creates another potential doorway for attackers.

Federal officials worry that foreign companies or hackers could interfere with connected inverters. A coordinated attack might disrupt equipment or expose information about how energy moves through a facility.

A major interruption could affect internet cloud services and the businesses that rely on them. An inverter may look like a metal box mounted beside a solar array. Still, when thousands of connected units feed electricity into important systems, their security becomes much harder to ignore.

The foreign robot ban may give U.S. manufacturers more room to grow. American companies will face less competition from low-cost Chinese machines in the domestic market. However, the policy could create short-term problems for researchers and startups. Some American teams use affordable Chinese robots to test software or train AI systems. Losing access to newer models could raise costs and limit the hardware available for experiments.

The restrictions could also complicate partnerships between U.S. chipmakers and Chinese robotics companies. That may slow certain projects even as Washington tries to strengthen domestic production. The bigger question involves timing. Building a competitive American robotics supply chain will take investment and skilled workers. Manufacturers must also secure motors, sensors and other components. Until that happens, tighter restrictions could leave a gap between the robots American developers want and the machines they can afford.

You may never bring a humanoid robot into your home, but smaller connected robots are already everywhere. Robot vacuums, lawn mowers and security devices can collect video, map your property and connect to remote servers. Before you buy one, take a few minutes to check how the company protects that access.

Connected devices sold in the United States should include an FCC identification number. You can usually find it on the product, packaging or manufacturer's website. Be cautious if the company provides no clear regulatory information.

Turn off remote viewing or cloud controls when you do not need them. A feature that lets you control a robot from anywhere could also become an entry point for someone else.

Robot software needs updates just like your phone or computer. Enable automatic updates when available and avoid products from companies with a poor support record.

If you are installing a connected solar or battery inverter, ask the installer who can access it remotely. You should also find out how the company handles software updates and what happens if its online service shuts down.

Would you accept fewer robot choices and potentially higher prices if the government said the restrictions could prevent foreign surveillance? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.

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