A humanoid robot waves Chinese national flags at the World AI Conference in Shanghai, July 18. AP-Yonhap
HONG KONG — The Federal Communications Commission in the U.S. said on Tuesday it would ban the import of foreign-made humanoid robots in a move that targets China, arguing they pose a national security risk.
The decision could strain bilateral relations as the technology race between the two world leaders advances. China makes substantially more humanoid robots than the U.S. and other competitors, and analysts estimate that Chinese humanoid robots’ global market share has reached roughly 85 percent.
The FCC’s ban includes new imports of humanoid robots, quadrupeds — often referred to as four-legged robot dogs — as well as foreign-made power inverters.
In making the decision, the FCC said these advanced robots produced in foreign countries pose supply chain vulnerabilities to the U.S. as well as cybersecurity and national security risks.
