- The FCC added foreign-produced mobile robots and networked power inverters to its Covered List on July 28, blocking new models from import, marketing, or sale in the US.
- A waiver allows software and firmware security patches through at least January 1, 2029, and manufacturers can apply for Conditional Approval through the Department of War or DHS.
- The action cites security research including CVEs that enabled remote control of robots and inverter flaws that could destabilize the grid, though no active exploitation campaign has been confirmed.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) added foreign-produced mobile robots and networked power inverters to its Covered List on July 28, effectively blocking new models from receiving the equipment authorization required for import, marketing, or sale in the US. Previously authorized models can still be sold, and devices already owned by consumers remain unaffected.
The FCC’s Office of Engineering and Technology granted a waiver the same day, allowing software and firmware changes that patch vulnerabilities and facilitate compatibility through at least January 1, 2029. Manufacturers can apply through the FCC for Conditional Approval, with the Department of War (DoW) approving robotic devices and DoW or the Department of Homeland Security approving power inverters.
Under the two national security determinations behind the action, “foreign-produced” means any article that fails to qualify as a “domestic end product” under the Buy American standard. The robot definition covers a mechanical mobile device capable of ground locomotion, obstacle avoidance, or navigation that weighs more than 4.4 lbs and carries an environmental sensor.
The robot determination cites three published security reports, including UniPwn research that documented four Bluetooth Low Energy-related CVEs, such as CVE-2025-35027, which gave researchers root command execution on several robot models. Another cited vulnerability, CVE-2025-2894, could allow anyone with the correct API key full remote control of Unitree Go1 quadrupeds through the CloudSail service.
The inverter determination cites Forescout’s SUN:DOWN research, which reported 46 flaws across Sungrow, SMA, and Growatt products and described possible fleet manipulation and grid instability. The agency’s fact sheet calls the robot category “mobile robots, such as humanoids and quadrupeds,” while the determination carves out connected road vehicles, rail-only equipment, and medical devices.
The determination also cites Idaho National Laboratory on supply-chain risks and ERCOT on the potential for rapid grid collapse in a worst-case scenario. This is the third category-wide Covered List action, following foreign-produced drones in December 2025 and consumer routers in March 2026.
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