US bans imports of new Chinese humanoid and quadruped robot models, citing security risks

Unitree Robotics/G1

The US Federal Communications Commission barred new Chinese humanoid and four-legged robot models, along with Chinese connected power inverters, from the US market. The FCC said the machines could collect data on Americans, aid foreign intelligence or be taken over remotely. The rule hits Unitree, which Counterpoint Research says holds just under a fifth of the global humanoid market.

• Applies to models not yet released; models already authorised can still be sold, though the FCC can revoke those authorisations.
• FCC chairman Brendan Carr cited supply-chain and cybersecurity risks to critical infrastructure.
• The FCC is expected to exempt many non-Chinese suppliers, as it did with recent bans on foreign drones and routers.
• Unitree had recently been added to the Pentagon's list of companies alleged to be backed by China's military.