FCC Ban on Foreign Robots Set to Sweep Up Robot Vacuums

The Federal Communications Commission has added foreign-made advanced robotic devices and power inverters to its Covered List, a roster of technology the agency says poses "an unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States or the security and safety of United States persons." The category is broad enough to include ordinary robot vacuums.

Devices on the Covered List cannot receive FCC equipment authorization, which generally means they cannot be imported, marketed or sold in the United States.

According to the FCC's National Security Determination, the concern centers on what these devices can see, record and transmit. Robots are typically packed with sensors that gather data about the spaces they move through, and because they connect to networks, they carry the same risks as any connected device — being hacked, having data stolen, or losing control of the device itself.

The "advanced robotic devices" category covers any device that can move or navigate on its own, operates remotely through human control or sensor response, weighs more than 4.4 pounds including its dock, and has a sensor, a network connection of 200 kbps or faster, or software — including AI or machine-learning models — controlling its movement or commands.

Most robot vacuums meet all of those criteria: they navigate autonomously, connect to home Wi-Fi, map living spaces and typically weigh more than 4.4 pounds. Because many robot vacuums are manufactured, or built with components manufactured, outside the United States, the rule is expected to affect the majority of the market.

The ban applies only to new foreign-produced devices going forward. Robot vacuums already in use will keep working, and owners are not required to stop using them. Existing inventory already available at retailers can still be purchased for now, though the pool of new imported models is expected to shrink over time as the rule takes effect.