FCC widens robot import ban to cover vacuums and delivery bots

FCC expands the ban on 'advanced robotic devices' to include future non-humanoid robots—robot vacuums, lawnmowers, and sidewalk delivery bots—bar importing any new software-controlled ground robot over 4.4 pounds that can sense its environment and connect wirelessly. Existing Roombas aren’t targeted, but manufacturers must commit to US manufacturing to obtain waivers. The policy, framed around national security, pushes some production back to the US even as many foreign-made robovacs and components face import hurdles; waivers are not tied to security practices and exemptions exist for other robotics categories.