ECJ EUROPEAN Cleaning Journal

Non-American robot vacuum cleaners could soon be banned from the US over fears that they pose a threat to national security.

The nation's Federal Communications Commission has unveiled strict new measures targeting foreign-made technology. These state that any new foreign-manufactured robot capable of ground movement, navigation or obstacle avoidance will be banned unless manufacturers receive an exemption.

The rules apply to any device where the combined weight of the machine and its docking station exceeds 4.4lbs. Other popular household gadgets such as automated lawnmowers will be included in the ban along with any other gadget that uses local or remote software, AI, environmental sensors or wireless connectivity such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or cellular capabilities.

Existing models that have already been approved for sale in the US will remain on the shelves. However, a number of major tech brands including Roborock, Ecovacs, Dreame and Roomba which rely heavily on foreign manufacturing hubs will face major hurdles when launching future models without approval.

It is part of a broad range of efforts by the US government to protect the country's AI industry amid increasing challenges from Chinese rivals. Various AI breakthroughs from China have led to fears that the US's domination of technologies such as chatbots could be challenged by cheaper and more capable versions.

The move to ban foreign models is designed to protect US interests, strengthen the country's robotics industry and to keep the nation safe. "Robots collect data that could be leveraged by malign actors to surveil Americans, enhance the capabilities of foreign intelligence services or to remotely commandeer the robots," said the FCC.