US Distributor of China's Top Humanoid Robots Shifts to Domestic Manufacturing After FCC Ban
RoboStore, the leading US seller of humanoid robots manufactured in China, is overhauling its supply chain after a new FCC ban effectively blocked continued imports of the foreign-built machines. Rather than exit the market, the company says it's accelerating plans to manufacture its robots domestically.
The move comes as regulators increasingly scrutinize hardware with ties to Chinese manufacturers, citing national security and data concerns similar to past actions against telecom equipment. For RoboStore, the ban forces a costly and complex transition: standing up domestic production lines, sourcing components, and retraining supply chains that previously relied on established Chinese manufacturing infrastructure.
The shift signals a broader trend of hardware companies being forced to localize production of complex robotics and AI-adjacent products as geopolitical restrictions tighten.