The U.S. communications authority FCC has expanded its list of prohibited devices, maintained in the name of national security, to cover so-called "advanced robotic devices". The decision surprisingly also extends to robot vacuum cleaners, although the agency has not named specific brands or models.
Behind the FCC's decision (PDF) is a concern that networked devices equipped with sensors and mapping technology could pose a new type of cyber and intelligence risk to critical U.S. infrastructure. Previously, the FCC banned all routers manufactured outside the United States, as well as all drones manufactured abroad.
According to the FCC, the networked features of advanced robotic systems create broad vulnerabilities and attack vectors and are capable of collecting real-world data for malicious actors. The agency's updated policy states that reliance on robotic devices manufactured outside the United States could open opportunities for citizen espionage, enhance the capabilities of foreign intelligence services, or even enable the remote hijacking of robots. The regulation broadly targets autonomous electronic devices with their own sensors and intelligent navigation - this group includes, in addition to robot vacuum cleaners, for example, robotic lawnmowers, delivery robots, and devices used in warehouse logistics.
However, the decision does not make existing robot vacuum cleaners illegal or oblige consumers to return or disable them. The new restrictions apply only to new models and devices introduced in the future. Models already in use in homes, on sale in stores, or previously approved by the FCC can still be used and may be sold, imported, and marketed in the United States. Robot vacuum cleaners will therefore continue to function normally as long as the manufacturer provides software updates and support for them.
The restrictions on robotic devices now introduced do not completely prevent the import of new robot vacuum cleaner models into the United States, but they significantly tighten the conditions. Manufacturers can continue to introduce new devices to the market if they commit to manufacturing in the United States and can demonstrate that a significant portion of the device's components are of American origin. The target has been set that from 2028 onwards, approximately 65 percent, and from 2029 onwards, 75 percent of the device's components should originate from the United States. This could prove challenging even for brands that already assemble their products in the United States, as the production of electronic components is heavily concentrated in Asia.
For robot vacuum cleaners, the situation is extremely difficult, as to our knowledge, all major manufacturers' robot vacuum cleaners are made in Asia: either in China, Vietnam, or Taiwan - and the FCC does not specify any country as safe, meaning that robot vacuum cleaners (and other robots) manufactured even in Europe, for example, will be prohibited by default in the future. The decision also affects Swedish robotic lawnmower brands, such as Husqvarna and Stiga.
The largest American-owned robot vacuum cleaner manufacturer, iRobot, known for its Roomba line, was sold to China through debt restructuring last winter. And for that company too, production had been moved to Asia years earlier - even the fact that the company is American-owned does not allow bypassing FCC rules. The largest robot vacuum cleaner manufacturers headquartered in the United States are currently Shark aka SharkNinja, and Wyze, but their products are also manufactured in Asia.
The biggest uncertainty relates to how many manufacturers are willing and able to move their production to the United States or increase the share of domestic components to meet FCC requirements. Some companies may invest in new production facilities or form partnerships with American subcontractors to maintain access to the U.S. market. Others may choose to withdraw or limit their offerings, which would narrow the selection and slow the arrival of the latest features to consumers.
In the short term, the situation will likely manifest as new models from major robot vacuum cleaner manufacturers, to be released over the next year, being sold only outside the United States. This inevitably means that a huge number of models and brands will flood into Europe, many of which have rarely been seen here before, as they have focused on the U.S. market. At the same time, manufacturers will face immense price pressure in markets outside the United States as markets suddenly become saturated with new models.
According to the FCC, the networked features of advanced robotic systems create broad vulnerabilities and attack vectors and are capable of collecting real-world data for malicious actors. The agency's updated policy states that reliance on robotic devices manufactured outside the United States could open opportunities for citizen espionage, enhance the capabilities of foreign intelligence services, or even enable the remote hijacking of robots. The regulation broadly targets autonomous electronic devices with their own sensors and intelligent navigation - this group includes, in addition to robot vacuum cleaners, for example, robotic lawnmowers, delivery robots, and devices used in warehouse logistics.
However, the decision does not make existing robot vacuum cleaners illegal or oblige consumers to return or disable them. The new restrictions apply only to new models and devices introduced in the future. Models already in use in homes, on sale in stores, or previously approved by the FCC can still be used and may be sold, imported, and marketed in the United States. Robot vacuum cleaners will therefore continue to function normally as long as the manufacturer provides software updates and support for them.
The restrictions on robotic devices now introduced do not completely prevent the import of new robot vacuum cleaner models into the United States, but they significantly tighten the conditions. Manufacturers can continue to introduce new devices to the market if they commit to manufacturing in the United States and can demonstrate that a significant portion of the device's components are of American origin. The target has been set that from 2028 onwards, approximately 65 percent, and from 2029 onwards, 75 percent of the device's components should originate from the United States. This could prove challenging even for brands that already assemble their products in the United States, as the production of electronic components is heavily concentrated in Asia.
For robot vacuum cleaners, the situation is extremely difficult, as to our knowledge, all major manufacturers' robot vacuum cleaners are made in Asia: either in China, Vietnam, or Taiwan - and the FCC does not specify any country as safe, meaning that robot vacuum cleaners (and other robots) manufactured even in Europe, for example, will be prohibited by default in the future. The decision also affects Swedish robotic lawnmower brands, such as Husqvarna and Stiga.
The largest American-owned robot vacuum cleaner manufacturer, iRobot, known for its Roomba line, was sold to China through debt restructuring last winter. And for that company too, production had been moved to Asia years earlier - even the fact that the company is American-owned does not allow bypassing FCC rules. The largest robot vacuum cleaner manufacturers headquartered in the United States are currently Shark aka SharkNinja, and Wyze, but their products are also manufactured in Asia.
The biggest uncertainty relates to how many manufacturers are willing and able to move their production to the United States or increase the share of domestic components to meet FCC requirements. Some companies may invest in new production facilities or form partnerships with American subcontractors to maintain access to the U.S. market. Others may choose to withdraw or limit their offerings, which would narrow the selection and slow the arrival of the latest features to consumers.
In the short term, the situation will likely manifest as new models from major robot vacuum cleaner manufacturers, to be released over the next year, being sold only outside the United States. This inevitably means that a huge number of models and brands will flood into Europe, many of which have rarely been seen here before, as they have focused on the U.S. market. At the same time, manufacturers will face immense price pressure in markets outside the United States as markets suddenly become saturated with new models.
