US to ban Chinese robots over spying fears

The US government could soon be banned from purchasing or using humanoid robots made by Chinese companies under legislation introduced Thursday by two senior senators.

Senator Tom Cotton, a senior Republican, and Chuck Schumer, the Senate’s top Democrat, plan to introduce the American Security Robotics Act. The bill would ban the federal government from buying or using unmanned ground vehicles made by adversaries such as China. It would also prohibit the use of federal funds for those systems.

The bill comes as Chinese companies ramp up competition with US firms such as Tesla to develop humanoid robots capable of handling tasks ranging from hazardous factory work to household chores. At least two Chinese firms – Agibot and Unitree – are preparing to go public in China this year as interest in their products grows.

In statements on Thursday, the lawmakers argued that such robots present a national security risk because they could be used to gather data to send back to China or could be remotely controlled from China. A group of lawmakers last year urged the Pentagon to add Unitree to a list of firms that work with China's military.

senator Tom Cotton, close up, little black microphone, white shirt collar, dark eyebrows, short hair — Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR). Andrew Harnik/Getty.

"Robots made by Communist China threaten Arkansans' privacy and our national security," Cotton said.

Schumer said Chinese firms with support from the Chinese Communist Party "are running their standard playbook – this time in robotics – trying to flood the US market with their technology, which presents real security risks and threats to Americans' privacy and American research and industry."

Chuck Schumer, grey hair, black frame glasses, grey hair, white collar, black suit, — (R-L) US Senate Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer. Alex Wong/Getty.

The bill would contain exemptions for the US military and law enforcement agencies to research Chinese robots, as long as the robots cannot transmit data to or receive data from China.

In the US House of Representatives, Representative Elise Stefanik, a New York Republican, on Thursday planned to announce a companion bill to the Senate version.

"We must continue to promote and propel America's robotics superiority while safeguarding our privacy and national security from adversaries," Stefanik said in a statement.