Understanding the Impact of the FCC Covered List on Consumers

In the realm of HomeKit, it has only been a little over a year since Apple finally introduced SwitchBot and Roomba. However, if you have yet to purchase a new device, now might be the time to accelerate your plans.

Recently, the US government imposed a ban on new foreign Wi-Fi hardware, and now it is extending its reach to include robot vacuums. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced on Tuesday that it is adding “advanced robotic devices” and connected power inverters from foreign countries to its Covered List.

The Covered List, where Wi-Fi routers were placed in March, signifies that the FCC will not issue the necessary licenses for importing new devices in these categories into the United States. Although the FCC’s definition of robotic devices includes “mobile robots, such as humanoids and quadrupeds,” it is not just humanoid robots like C-3PO that are affected.

According to a statement by FCC media relations director Katie Gorscak, the robot ban will also encompass robot vacuum cleaners. The ban is not limited to humanoid robots and quadrupeds but extends to almost any new software-controlled robot that moves on the ground, weighs over 4.4 pounds, can sense its surroundings, and has wireless connectivity.

Furthermore, the ban extends beyond robot vacuums to encompass a wide range of semi-autonomous robotic devices, including lawnmowers, sidewalk delivery bots, and those utilized in Amazon’s warehouses.

It is worth noting that the FCC Covered List only applies to new devices. Existing certified robovacs can still be sold, and resellers can import and sell those models. The FCC’s responsibility is to certify devices, not enforce trade bans.

The US government’s stance appears to be cautious about foreign robots, preferring those made by foreign companies but within the US. However, this approach does not apply in reverse to US companies manufacturing overseas.

While the ban may impact newer models of robovacs, there is a possibility for some manufacturers to receive conditional approval. Sources suggest that non-Chinese suppliers may be exempt from the restrictions imposed by the FCC.

Despite some companies assembling robovacs in the US, the ban could still affect them since the rules mandate a high percentage of components to be domestically sourced.