What the FCC ban on foreign-made robot vacuums means for your Roomba
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ZDNET's key takeaways
- The FCC banned the sale and import of foreign-made robotic devices.
- The ban includes robot vacuums from the largest manufacturers.
- Robots previously imported into the US are unaffected.
Did the FCC just tell US consumers, No more Roombas for you?
The Federal Communications Commission has banned the sale and import of foreign-produced robotic devices and power inverters as part of the Trump administration's AI Action Plan. The FCC said that advanced robotic devices, such as robot vacuums and robot lawn mowers, pose a cybersecurity risk to US consumers.
As with the FCC's sweeping ban on foreign-made routers this May, the agency argues that humanoid and consumer robots, including robot vacuums, robot mowers, and delivery robots, could be used for surveillance and other harmful activities.
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More specifically, the ban applies to advanced robotic devices that move on the ground and navigate their surroundings, weigh more than 4.4 pounds (with a charger, if applicable), have sensors, or use software, AI, firmware, or a wired or wireless connection.
"Today's robot vacuums aren't just appliances; they're autonomous mobile computers equipped with cameras, depth sensors, LiDAR, microphones, Wi-Fi, and detailed maps of our homes," Chris Matthieu, VP of developer ecosystem at RealSense, which makes depth cameras and vision technology, told ZDNET in an email. "The biggest concern isn't that your vacuum is spying on you today -- it's that these devices continuously build detailed 3D maps of private spaces and are connected to the internet."
Because of this, Matthieu warned, if a manufacturer's system is compromised, highly sensitive personal data can be exposed to bad actors.
The FCC also said that American reliance on these foreign-made robots poses a supply chain vulnerability that could become a national security threat. Based on the FCC's documentation, it seems the primary focus isn't on evaluating the cybersecurity threats these robots pose to the US as a whole. Rather, the ban focuses on where these products are designed, manufactured, assembled, and tested, and on whether companies commit to expanding manufacturing in the US.
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"This action does not impact a consumer's continued use of devices they previously acquired. Nor does it prevent retailers from continuing to sell, import, or market relevant models approved previously through the FCC's equipment authorization process," an FCC spokesperson told ZDNET via email.
Robot vacuum manufacturers will need an FCC waiver to import and sell future models in the US. In the worst-case scenario, some brands may stop introducing as many new products in the US, especially if meeting the requirements isn't economically viable for them. Most likely, however, new models may arrive later and cost more.
"We are aware of the FCC's recent action and are working with them to better understand its implementation and potential impact," iRobot, which manufactures the popular Roomba, told ZDNET in a statement. "We remain committed to serving our customers and will share updates as more information becomes available."
Does this apply to my current robot vacuum?
Consumers don't need to worry about losing or having issues with their current robot vacuum or mower. This FCC ban will impact manufacturers and some retailers, who could face delays and higher costs due to the requirement to obtain a waiver.
Current robot vacuums and mowers can continue to be used, as they were previously imported and approved by the FCC. Companies can also continue supporting existing models, including those with LiDAR sensors, cameras, and AI software.
"The biggest concern isn't that it's a robot vacuum. It's an internet-connected device with a surprising amount of information about your home," Tony Sabaj, head of North American channel at Check Point Software Technologies, told ZDNET via email. "If that data were accessed by unauthorized parties, it could reveal when someone is typically home or away, which rooms are rarely used, and the overall layout of the property."
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If you have a robot vacuum at home, there are steps you can take to protect your privacy. It's important to keep your device's firmware up to date and always use a strong password for the associated account. If multi-factor authorization is available for the robot vacuum, it's worth enabling it.
Frank Teruel, chief operating officer at cybersecurity company Arkose Labs, described three things robot vacuum owners should do with them:
"Put it on a segmented network (a guest VLAN or an IoT VLAN) so a compromised vacuum can reach the internet and nothing else. Go look at what permissions the companion app actually has and where your map data is stored. And find out whether the manufacturer has committed to a support window in writing."
For future customers, this FCC ruling means that future robot vacuums and mowers could become more expensive or scarce.
Should I buy a robot vacuum now?
You don't need to panic-buy a robot vacuum, but you should keep a few things in mind if you are in the market for one.
Most of the world's robot vacuums are made in China or heavily rely on Chinese supply chains in one way or another. This includes brands like iRobot, Roborock, Ecovacs, Dreame, and Narwal. Even Matic, which assembles its robots in California, relies on imported Chinese parts.
Companies that manufacture these robots must apply for a waiver for new devices being sold or imported in the US, but that doesn't include what is already on store shelves -- online or otherwise.
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"As someone who works in robotics, I'd encourage consumers to think of robot vacuums less as appliances and more as mobile computers with advanced perception systems," Matthieu added. "The smarter robots become, the more important it is to ensure the data they collect stays secure."
The new ban does not apply to current inventory at most major US retailers, which is already FCC-approved. As a result, you can still purchase robot vacuums and robot mowers currently listed for sale on Amazon and other retailers.