Technology & Gadgets | July 2026 | 4 min read
Quick Takeaways
⚡ The US has blocked new Chinese-made humanoid and four-legged robot models.
⚡ The FCC also restricted new connected power inverters used in critical infrastructure.
⚡ The ban applies to new models, not products already authorized for sale in the US.
⚡ US officials cited surveillance, remote-control and supply-chain security risks.
⚡ China criticized the move and accused Washington of politicizing technology trade.
The Trump administration has moved to block new Chinese-made humanoid robots, four-legged robots and connected power inverters from entering the US market, expanding Washington’s technology restrictions on national security grounds.
| Agency FCC |
Robot Types Humanoid and four-legged |
Status New models blocked |
FCC Adds Robots and Inverters to Covered List
The Federal Communications Commission added advanced robotic devices and connected power inverters to its Covered List, a US register for communications and technology equipment considered a risk to national security or public safety. The move covers new equipment authorizations, which are needed before affected products can be imported, marketed or sold in the United States.
Advanced robotic devices include humanoid robots and four-legged machines, often described as quadruped robots. The FCC said foreign-made robots with cameras, sensors, microphones, connectivity and remote-control features could create risks if sensitive data is collected, transferred or misused.
| Security Alert US officials say connected robots may pose risks because they combine mobility, sensors, software and network access. |
What the Ban Covers
The restrictions do not automatically remove every Chinese robot or inverter already on the US market. They apply to new models that have not yet received FCC authorization. Existing models that were already cleared can continue unless the FCC later revokes their approvals, a power the agency says it still has.
Power inverters were included because they are used in data centers, solar systems and other parts of the electricity and technology infrastructure. US officials warned that connected inverters could potentially be shut down remotely, exploited through cyberattacks, used for surveillance or turned into weak points inside critical systems.
| Category | Covered Products | Current Effect |
| Advanced robots | Humanoid and four-legged robotic devices | New unauthorised models blocked |
| Power inverters | Connected inverters for data centers, solar and infrastructure | New unauthorised models blocked |
| Existing approvals | Models already cleared by the FCC | Not automatically banned |
| Revocation power | Previously authorized products | FCC can revoke approvals if required |
| Possible exemptions | Devices cleared through conditional approval | May proceed if risk concerns are addressed |
China Pushes Back Against the Decision
China criticized the decision and accused the United States of politicizing trade and technology rules. Beijing said Washington was using national security arguments to target Chinese companies and warned that it would take necessary measures if US actions harmed China’s interests.
The dispute comes as Chinese robotics companies expand rapidly into commercial humanoid and industrial robot markets. Firms such as Unitree, UBTech and AgiBot have drawn global attention as China tries to scale lower-cost robots for factories, homes, logistics and public demonstrations.
| Market Impact The policy may slow Chinese robotics firms in the US while giving American developers more room in a fast-growing AI hardware sector. |
Another Front in the US-China Tech Race
The robot and inverter restrictions fit into a wider US effort to reduce dependence on Chinese technology in sensitive sectors. Washington has already limited advanced semiconductor sales to China, kept steep barriers around Chinese electric vehicles and tightened scrutiny of connected devices that may touch critical infrastructure.
For the US, the concern is not only where a robot is built, but what it can see, record, transmit and control once deployed. Humanoid and four-legged machines may operate in factories, warehouses, homes, public spaces or industrial sites. If those systems are compromised, officials argue, the risk can move beyond consumer privacy into infrastructure and security.
For China, the ban is likely to be seen as another attempt to contain its rise in AI and advanced manufacturing. Robotics is becoming a major front in the global technology race because it connects artificial intelligence, sensors, chips, batteries, motors and industrial automation into one product category.
| Bottom Line The US is drawing a harder line around connected Chinese hardware, and humanoid robots have now joined chips, EVs and drones in the security debate. |
Disclaimer: This article is based on current FCC announcements and international reporting. Import rules, product approvals and company responses may change as regulators and manufacturers issue further updates.
