As the international race in AI and robotics technology continues to grow, the United States has announced new plans to control the use of foreign technology due to security concerns. The United States has announced new plans to restrict the use of Chinese robots due to growing concerns over data security and control.
According to Reuters, United States senators and politicians Tom Cotton and Chuck Schumer are planning to introduce the “America Protecting Robotics Act.” This bill would prevent United States government agencies from using Chinese robots.
Additionally, the bill would prohibit United States government agencies from using unmanned ground systems developed by adversary countries, including China.
Lawmakers claim that these robots could be used to gather sensitive information or even be controlled remotely. Tom Cotton said that robots assembled in China could pose a threat to personal privacy and security, and Chuck Schumer said that Chinese companies are trying to increase their share of the US tech market.
The proposed sanctions are a result of various actions taken against Chinese technology in the United States. The FCC recently added some routers assembled overseas to its cover list due to security concerns and is also trying to ban Chinese drones.
The proposed ban signals that robotics is a new area for US-China technological rivalry, particularly due to the popularity of humanoid robots for industrial and domestic purposes.
If passed, the bill could benefit US companies like Tesla, which are developing humanoid robots, while Chinese companies like Unitri and Agibot continue to expand globally.
The law would allow the U.S. military and law enforcement limited immunity to study Chinese robots under strict conditions, ensuring the systems cannot transmit data abroad.
