FCC Robot Ban Sweeps Up Robot Vacuums, Blocking Major Brands From US Market

FCC Rule Banning Foreign Robots Could Sweep Up New Home Robot Vacuums - CNET

On Sunday, the Federal Communications Commission issued an important update clarifying how its national security restrictions on equipment from certain foreign companies apply to robots. The update may be broader than it first seemed. In addition to humanoid robots that walk and dance, the language could also apply to household devices like robot vacuums and other mobile technology. The key phrase in the FCC's statement is "advanced robotic devices," under which the agency includes autonomous robots that are "capable of locomotion, obstacle avoidance, navigation or movement on the ground". The rule also requires the device and its ground station to weigh over 4.4 pounds. Most robot vacuums are heavy enough to be affected, although fuzzy toys like SwitchBot's AI pets are too light to be included. Any of these devices that use components from foreign companies may be banned, but your current Roomba isn't at risk, since it applies to new devices only. "New foreign-produced advanced robotic devices and power inverters are generally prohibited from receiving FCC authorization to be imported, marketed, or sold in the U.S.," according to an FCC fact sheet. (PDF) "This action does not affect any previously purchased devices." An FCC representative confirmed to CNET that vacuum devices were covered in the latest updates. Pool-cleaning robots and similar products are also likely to be affected. The policy exempts sales to and use by the federal government, including the military. This is somewhat surprising given the report's rationale for the ban, which cites additional vulnerabilities that could allow foreign firms to access sensitive data or gain control of the devices. Self-driving vehicles and medical equipment were also exempt. The FCC does not directly mention China in its fact sheet, but the full body of the update includes references to Chinese autonomous systems, and the administration recently accused China of stealing AI technology (PDF) from Anthropic for its Moonshot project. Will you be able to buy robot vacuums in the future? CNET's robot vacuum specialist Ajay Kumar said that iRobot, the maker of the popular Roomba line, still considers itself an American company and maintains its headquarters in the United States. However, he said the company's recent acquisition by Chinese supplier Picea is likely to mean that future Roomba models may not be available in the US. A representative for iRobot did not immediately respond to a request for comment. According to Kumar, most other robot vacuum brands in the U.S. could also face bans because of their reliance on overseas components, including Eufy, Roborock and Dreame. He said Shark may be the only major exception, as the company focuses on assembling its robot vacuums in the United States. Previously purchased Roombas and similar devices would not be affected by the ban. However, customers may eventually lose access to software updates, repairs or other support if manufacturers choose to leave the US market. The FCC's latest actions could also have significant implications for other autonomous robots used across a variety of industries, from police and helper robots to technology in shipping and warehouses.

The ban on robot vacuums won't make them safer. But it may make your next one worse

No other gadget knows as much about your home as a robot vacuum. They map your space, learn your routines, and many now carry a camera and microphone into every room in your house. As AI gives them a better understanding of what they see, the privacy and security risks these autonomous robots pose are only growing. That's why greater scrutiny makes sense, but the ban on foreign-made mobile robots issued by the Federal Communications Commission earlier this week -- implemented to address "unacceptable risks to the national security of the United States or the safety and security of United States persons" -- doesn't actually judge products by how secure they are, just where they're built. It effectively means no new robot vacuums from major companies can enter the US market unless they are built here. And spoiler alert: none are. Cybersecurity and manufacturing are not the same thing. If the goal is safer robot vacuums (and robot lawnmowers, companion bots, humanoids, and all the other robots this ban sweeps up), this policy misses the mark. A meaningful security standard for robots would require encrypted map storage, security audits, vulnerability disclosures, and clear data retention policies. Instead, this ban means Americans will see fewer new models, slower innovation, and more expensive robot vacuums. In short, we'll get worse vacuums than those we have today. I've been covering robot vacuums for over a decade, and have seen dozens of privacy and security stories. The fear that your robot vacuum could spy on you or leak your data isn't paranoia; it's a well-documented fact that we have personal experience with here at The Verge. Many of the industry's largest manufacturers -- including Dreame, Ecovacs, Roborock, iRobot, and Shark -- have suffered security vulnerabilities or data breaches. Those failures don't point toward regulating manufacturing, but toward the need for stronger cybersecurity requirements, like those defined by the government's Cyber Trust Mark program -- but that program doesn't exist yet, and if it ever does, it will be entirely voluntary. This manufacturing ban applies to any foreign-made robot, but footnotes in the FCC's public notice indicate that China is a particular concern, warning that foreign governments could use vulnerabilities found in advanced robotics to access sensitive data. China's commerce ministry has already called the policy "discriminatory and suppressive against Chinese companies and products." There are real security advantages to domestic robot production. Mehul Nariyawala, president and co-founder of Matic, the only robot vacuum currently assembled in the US (although with too many foreign parts to be considered US-made), points out that domestic manufacturing makes it easier to ensure there are no hardware backdoors and to hold companies accountable for any failures. But a robot vacuum made in Massachusetts isn't automatically more secure than one made in Shenzhen. And the FCC's ban doesn't actually take steps to ensure they will be. The robot ban is a carbon copy of those the FCC has issued to Wi-Fi routers and drones over the last few months. So far, it has already granted several waivers to router companies that don't appear to be moving their manufacturing to the US, which the waivers require. This raises questions about how consistently and fairly the new rules will be enforced and whether they can actually achieve their intended effect. Today, the practical consequences won't be better security -- the millions of robot vacuums already in American homes remain unaffected, as do any currently sold models. If these really are a risk, and we've seen plenty of evidence they can be, why leave the largest source of that risk exactly where it is? In an optimistic future, the ban could spur American manufacturing. Nariyawala believes it "creates the conditions for American startups to design, engineer, and build all manner of trustworthy robots at scale." He adds that consumer robots are where robotics manufacturing reaches scale, and the supply chains they require are the same ones defense, industrial, and healthcare robots will depend on. "Get it right, educate customers to demand it, and that domestic supply chain stops being an aspiration and becomes an industry." But even if he's right, that transition will take years. Today's Matic relies heavily on imported parts, and its price is going up to $1,450 next month, showing how far building these products in the US is from replacing the $300 robot vacuum you can buy at Walmart. Meanwhile, restricting the import of new products means US households will miss out on the next wave of innovations in a fast-moving category. Chinese manufacturers may have started out as fast followers, but they have transformed the robot vacuum industry over the past decade. Fierce competition brought better navigation, improved obstacle avoidance, self-emptying docks, and much better mopping systems. That competition also squeezed American manufacturers out of business; iRobot, the American pioneer in this space, filed for bankruptcy last year and is now owned by its Chinese manufacturing partner. Without that competitive pressure, progress in the US market will slow, and prices will rise. But the competition I would most like to see isn't who can build the wildest appendages or produce the highest suction power -- it's competing on privacy; I want a robot vacuum that doesn't require an internet connection to clean my house, maps that stay on the device instead of the cloud; object recognition that runs locally instead of on remote servers; and clear explanations of what data leaves my house and why. Matic does much of this today, which is one reason it's my top pick of the many robot vacuums I've tested, but it's a high price to pay for what should be easy features to deliver. It feels too late to save the American robot vacuum industry, but iRobot co-founder and former CEO Colin Angle, whose startup Familiar Machines & Magic is developing a robotic companion that could fall under this ban, supports its stated goals. "We see this as part of a broader moment for US robotics, one where the opportunity lies in building domestic leadership," he told me. "That means continued investment in domestic manufacturing, R&D, and talent, and we're committed to being part of that effort as the category grows." If that is the goal, it may well succeed, but only because it shuts out the competition -- which is the same thing Angle argues the Chinese Government did to help its burgeoning robot vacuum market. But if the goal is making robots more secure, we're still floundering. Meanwhile, Chinese robot vacuum makers and their US-based users are in limbo. Current products will continue to work and be sold, but the path forward is murky at best. The FCC has said existing robots can get updates at least through January 2029, but then what? Kristen Marion, global PR brand lead at Eufy, owned by Anker, told me that they plan to continue to sell, support, and update existing products, adding that "Like others across the industry, we are seeking further clarity on how the rule will be applied to future products, and we will keep our customers informed." I also reached out to several other Chinese manufacturers who either said much the same thing or politely declined to comment. The concerns driving the ban are legitimate. Robot vacuums deserve more scrutiny than they've received, especially as AI expands their capabilities far beyond the original purpose of cleaning our floors. But a broad manufacturing ban that ignores what's already in your house and can't tell a secure product from an insecure one isn't solving that problem. It's just slowing down the only thing that's actually worked in our favor: competition. If the government wants safer robot vacuums, don't regulate where they're made; regulate how securely they work.

Foreign-made robot vacuums caught up in FCC robot ban -- covers any ground robot over 4.4 pounds with a 200 kbps connection

Chinese civilian drone exports to the US fell 60% to 70% year over year after DJI's listing. New FCC legislation against foreign-made advanced robotic devices may have inadvertently introduced a ban on non-U.S. robot vacuums from being imported into the United States, according to The Verge. The FCC has added foreign-produced advanced robotic devices and connected power inverters to its Covered List, blocking new models from the equipment authorization they need before they can be imported, marketed, or sold in the United States. The four-part test buried in the underlying national security determination catches any ground-traveling robot heavier than 4.4 pounds, including its dock, provided it carries an environmental sensor and a network link running at 200 kb/s or faster, and it names "AI or machine-learning model weights" as covered software. The determination, attached as Appendix C to the FCC's public notice, applies to a mechanical mobile device capable of locomotion, obstacle avoidance, navigation, or movement on the ground that operates at a distance from a human operator. Devices qualify only if they also contain all three of a sensor that perceives its environment, a wired or wireless connection capable of at least 200 kb/s in either direction, and software controlling autonomous navigation, perception, data collection, or remote command and control. Bluetooth satisfies the connectivity test, as do Wi-Fi, cellular, and satellite. FCC media relations director Katie Gorscak confirmed to The Verge that robot vacuums meet the definition. Six categories are exempted: connected vehicles of any gross weight, rail vehicles, uncrewed aircraft, uncrewed underwater vehicles, FDA-regulated devices including surgical systems and powered wheelchairs, and fixed industrial arms such as SCARA, delta, and gantry designs. Drones were placed on the Covered List separately in December. Both determinations define "foreign-produced" as anything failing to qualify as a domestic end product under 48 CFR § 25.101(a), the Buy American Act rule. Under that provision, an item must be manufactured in the U.S., and the cost of domestic components must exceed 65% of the cost of all components for goods delivered through 2028, rising to 75% from 2029. The same paragraph waives the component test for commercial off-the-shelf items, which would leave only the U.S. manufacturing requirement for a mass-market consumer robot. Manufacturers can apply to the Department of Defence for a Conditional Approval that lifts the restriction, a process that both Netgear and Amazon's Eero brand cleared within weeks of March's router ban. Covered List status blocks Class I and Class II permissive changes under 47 CFR §§ 2.932(b) and 2.1043(b), the mechanism manufacturers use to push firmware and security fixes to certified hardware. The Office of Engineering and Technology suspended those prohibitions for robots and inverters hours after the listing, repeating the relief it gave drones in January, routers in March, and both categories through 2029 in May. We've seen with DJI just how damaging an entry on the Covered List can be. The company disclosed in an April court filing that the FCC revoked authorizations for 14 existing products and blocked 25 planned 2026 launches, and Chinese customs data reported by Nikkei Asia showed civilian drone exports to the U.S. down 60% to 70% year over year since December. DJI is suing over the designation. Follow Tom's Hardware on Google News, or add us as a preferred source, to get our latest news, analysis, & reviews in your feeds.

The FCC bans all robot vacuums made outside the U.S.

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has banned all foreign-made mobile robots from the country -- including robot vacuums. This means that people in the U.S. won't be able to get new robot vacuums from brands such as Roborock, Ecovacs, Dreame, and Samsung. On Tuesday, the FCC announced that it has added "advanced robotic devices" made outside the U.S. to its Covered List. This list documents communications equipment and services that the U.S. government believes pose an "unacceptable risk" to national security. Products on the Covered List are prohibited from receiving FCC equipment authorisation, which is mandatory for most electronic devices imported or sold within the country. As such, this update means that foreign-manufactured advanced robotic devices cannot be imported or sold in the U.S. The FCC's announcement specifically mentioned limbed robots such as humanoids and quadrupeds, leaving no doubt that tech such as XPENG's humanoid IRON robot and Unitree's Go2 Pro Robot Dog will be barred from the country. However, robot vacuums also neatly fit within the ban's scope. As cited by the FCC, the National Security Determination defines "advanced robotic devices" as: A mechanical mobile device, including autonomous mobile robots, humanoid robots, and quadrupeds, that - i. Is capable of locomotion, obstacle avoidance, navigation, or movement on the ground; ii. Operates at a distance from a human operator or supervisor based on commands or in response to sensor data or any combination thereof; and iii. The combined weight of the device and, if applicable, ground station or docking station is over 4.4lbs; and iv. Contains a component falling within each of the below subparagraphs: i. a sensor capable of perceiving its environment; ii. a component that is capable of providing network connectivity (wired or wireless, including Bluetooth/WiFi, cellular, or satellite) with connection speeds of at least 200 kbps in either direction; and iii. software running either locally or remotely, including firmware and AI or machine-learning model weights, that controls the robot's autonomous navigation or movement perception, data collection, or remote command-and-control Such features are integral to robot vacuums' operations, which require them to independently navigate areas in order to clean them. The FCC has since confirmed that the U.S. ban does include robot vacuums, as reported by The Verge. Mashable has reached out to Roborock, Ecovacs, Dreame, and Samsung for comment. The National Security Determination also specifically referred to an incident involving a robot vacuum when outlining the U.S. government's concerns. Earlier this year, a software engineer accidentally hacked his DJI Romo robot vacuum and gained access to video, audio, and map data from thousands of devices across the world. (DJI devices have already been barred from the U.S. for some time, the government having classified it as a "'Chinese military company.") Security vulnerabilities such as this aren't exclusive to foreign-made devices, and aren't necessarily an indication of sinister intentions. U.S. companies such as Amazon, Meta, and Uber have all experienced their own safety and security incidents as well. No technology is infallible, regardless of where it was made or who it was made by. Even so, the U.S. government considers such incidents in foreign technology as demonstrative of a national security threat. "The networked capabilities of advanced robotic systems create extensive vulnerabilities and vectors for attacks that can manipulate the data and physical operation of the advanced robotic system," the National Security Determination reads. "Relying on foreign-produced advanced robotic devices presents unacceptable supply chain and cybersecurity vulnerabilities." Fortunately, the U.S. robot vacuum ban won't force you to throw out your current device. The FCC states that consumers are still allowed to use devices they already own, so there's no need to rush out to look for a replacement. The ban doesn't revoke FCC authorisation from previously approved devices either, meaning those in the U.S. can continue to buy and sell robot vacuum models that are already in the market. However, new robot vacuums that have not yet received FCC authorisation are now barred from entering the country, leaving U.S. consumers with older models and significantly fewer options. The vast majority of robot vacuums are made outside the U.S., with the top five manufacturers based in China. Combined, these five companies held almost 70 percent of the global robot vacuum market share as of 2025. In comparison, the U.S. has practically no robot vacuum companies. While Roomba maker iRobot was founded in California, the company filed for bankruptcy last year and was acquired by Chinese robotics company Picea. The Department of War (DOW) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are authorised to grant exemptions to the U.S. robotics ban upon conducting a national security assessment. However, the FCC does not list any at time of writing. Earlier this year, the FCC banned all foreign-made consumer-level WiFi routers, also labelling them a danger to national security. The vast majority of routers are manufactured outside the U.S., including those from trusted brands such as TP-Link, ASUS, and Netgear.

US Is Banning Foreign Robots -- Even Roombas

The restrictions apply only to new models seeking FCC approval. Existing products already approved or purchased are not affected. The U.S. government earlier this week announced an import ban on "advanced robotic devices" from foreign countries, with its sights set specifically on China. But it's not just humanoids the government wants to stop from entering the United States -- the ban extends to robot vacuum cleaners like Roombas too. The Federal Communications Commission has added foreign-made advanced robotic devices, including humanoid and quadruped robots, and connected power inverters to its Covered List after U.S. national security agencies determined the products pose unacceptable security risks. In a press release on Tuesday, the FCC said the move follows findings by a White House-convened interagency group that concluded the products could create supply chain weaknesses and cybersecurity risks affecting critical infrastructure and public safety. "I welcome these Executive Branch national security determinations, and I am pleased that the FCC has now added foreign-produced advanced robotics and power inverters to the FCC's Covered List," FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said in a statement. "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." The Covered list identifies communications equipment the U.S. government considers a threat to national security. Products on the list generally cannot receive new FCC equipment authorization, which most electronic devices need before they can be imported, marketed, or sold in the United States. It turns out, though, that the ban covers more than just the humanoids and quadrupeds the FCC initially mentioned in its announcement. The regulator confirmed to The Verge that the ban includes a broad range of devices, essentially outlawing any new robotic device that weighs for than 4.4 pounds, connects to the internet, and can view its environment. That means the banned list includes robot vacuum cleaners, lawnmowers, delivery robots, and so on. The agencies said internet-connected robots could collect sensitive data, be used to monitor Americans, or potentially be taken over remotely. They also warned that connected power inverters -- which convert electricity between different forms for use on the power grid -- could be exploited to disrupt parts of the grid, steal data, or give attackers unauthorized access to critical systems. The restrictions apply only to future device models seeking FCC approval. They do not affect products that have already been authorized, and consumers can continue using devices they already own. Retailers may also continue selling previously approved models. The action also does not affect purchases or use by federal agencies. According to the FCC, manufacturers can still seek FCC authorization if they first receive Conditional Approval from the Department of Defense or, for power inverters, the Department of Homeland Security after those agencies determine the products do not pose unacceptable national security risks. The FCC's action comes as China races to become a global leader in humanoid robotics. Chinese companies including Alibaba and Unitree have accelerated development over the past year, with Alibaba unveiling its Qwen-Robot AI software platform in June and Unitree pushing low-cost humanoid robots into universities, startups, and research labs around the world.

Espionage, the reason why the U.S. has banned foreign robot vacuums

Only new imports are affected over cameras, maps, and microphones The United States has added to the list of equipment considered a national security risk an especially broad category: "advanced robotic devices" manufactured abroad. The decision extends, to the surprise of many, to household robot vacuums, and the reason is none other than espionage. Sensors, maps, and constant connection The Federal Communications Commission believes that these devices typically combine cameras, sensors, microphones, maps of your home, internet connection, and AI processing that can't be overlooked. The main fear centers on foreign access to sensitive information, especially when the data travels to servers outside the United States. The measure will affect future models manufactured outside the U.S. by brands such as Roomba, Roborock, Ecovacs, or Xiaomi, among others. We're talking about a market dominated by Asian supply chains, making this a far-reaching change. What will happen to your robot vacuum We'll be able to keep using the models we already have, and stores will be able to sell those that have already received FCC authorization. The restriction will apply only to new foreign devices seeking to enter the U.S. market from now on. Companies will, however, be able to request conditional approval when they can demonstrate sufficient guarantees, although it remains to be seen how many of those will be granted. The move goes in the same direction as the ban on foreign routers. For Washington, a robot that knows every room represents a security issue, but from that perspective, vacuums may be only the beginning.