How the FCC’s New Rule Will Affect Robot Vacuums
The FCC has updated its 'Covered List' to include foreign-made advanced mobile robots, including robot vacuums, citing national security risks. While current models remain unaffected, new models from foreign manufacturers may be barred from receiving FCC approval for sale in the US.
Why it matters
This regulation marks an expansion of national security concerns into consumer smart-home devices, potentially disrupting the market for popular international robotics brands.
So what does this ban mean? Though it's effective immediately, nothing changes for now. Robot vacuums won't get removed from the market, and your current robot vacuum won't stop working. The ban will instead stop new models from getting FCC approval to be sold in the United States. The vacuums available now won't be affected, but new models likely won't make it to the US if they're manufactured outside the country. And, unfortunately, a lot of great robot vacuum brands aren't based in the States.
Here's everything to know about what will happen next.
What the Ban Covers
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