Respondents have been evenly cut up between favorable and unfavorable views of the FCC robotics ban. Supply: MassRobotics
In July 2026, the Federal Communications Fee, or FCC, mentioned it has decided that foreign-made “superior robotic gadgets,” together with sure cell robots and humanoids, may create provide chain vulnerabilities and pose cybersecurity dangers. It banned new fashions of such gadgets, with exceptions for federal purchases and firms that get hold of waivers by means of the U.S. Division of Warfare or DoW.
The rule covers ground-based, related robots that weigh greater than 4.4 lb. (1.9 kg), have environmental sensors reminiscent of lidar or cameras, embody connectivity of at the very least 200 kbps, and depend on navigation and notion software program. The FCC has additionally mentioned that 65% of the whole value of a robotic’s parts should be domestic-made to qualify as U.S.-produced. It plans to extend that threshold to 75% in 2029.
The coverage initially induced confusion amongst some robotics suppliers and customers. Whereas it applies to imports from any nation, it was broadly understood to handle competitors from China, which has put in more than half of the world’s industrial robots.
Together with potential tariffs on robotics, the FCC restrictions additionally highlighted the necessity for a nationwide robotics technique, famous business advocates. Because the preliminary announcement, varied organizations have been attempting to determine how to reply to these insurance policies and inform the neighborhood about them. The Affiliation for Advancing Automation (A3) hosted a webinar with DLA Piper for its members.
MassRobotics finds a fair cut up amongst member organizations
Final month, MassRobotics surveyed its resident startups, company sponsors, and the robotics ecosystem to get suggestions on the FCC ban. The Boston-based group mentioned it spoke with 14 corporations ranging “from solo-founder groups to organizations with 200+ members.”
MassRobotics reported that 43% of corporations considered the FCC ruling as “helpful” or “very helpful,” with the identical share calling it “detrimental” or “very detrimental.” Fourteen % mentioned they anticipated “no influence.”
“Sentiment tracks carefully with an organization’s manufacturing footprint,” noticed MassRobotics. “Corporations already producing domestically are likely to view the ruling as a aggressive benefit; corporations with foreign-dependent provide chains, even partially, are likely to view it as a expensive disruption.”
Sentiment towards the FCC ban trusted the place an organization has its manufacturing. Supply: MassRobotics
When requested how the FCC ruling would have an effect on their fundraising plans and product roadmaps, respondents additionally mentioned they anticipated advantages or disruptions. Nonetheless, one firm mentioned it anticipated “a extreme optimistic increase,” whereas one other complained that it must relocate its headquarters to the U.S.
Twenty-nine % of these surveyed mentioned they’ve onshoring plans however have but to start out them.
The FCC coverage has prompted some corporations to look at their provide chains, says MassRobotics.
Corporations need readability, vetted onshoring networks
In open-ended responses, a number of corporations famous that parts reminiscent of motors, sensors, energy provides and DC/DC converters, and robotic arms are largely provided by East Asia. Some additionally puzzled concerning the DoW’s “conditional approval” course of, which may take 4 to eight weeks, and fearful concerning the potential for regulatory whiplash round U.S. midterm elections.
As well as, MassRobotics discovered that corporations have been involved about retaliation from China and being outmaneuvered by overseas corporations that have already got an American footprint. “Vetted onshoring provide networks” have been the one most-requested type of help, mentioned the nonprofit group.
“Messaging and help needs to be tailor-made by manufacturing footprint moderately than handled as a single business place,” famous MassRobotics, which is without doubt one of the prime robotics clusters and accelerators within the nation.
Because the preliminary ruling, the FCC has also banned new client robotic vacuum cleaners. Proponents of the commerce restrictions have famous that offshoring the drone business weakened U.S. business and nationwide safety.
In a associated dispute, North Studying, Mass.-based Teradyne Robotics has sued the German subsidiary of Chinese language force- and power-limited robotic provider JAKA for infringing the patents of its Common Robots unit.
Editor’s be aware: Reshoring manufacturing with automation would be the subject of a panel dialogue at RoboBusiness 2026, which will likely be on Oct. 20 and 21 in Santa Clara, Calif. Register now to attend.
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