Bipartisan Bill Would Ban Federal Use of Chinese-Made Ground Robots
A bipartisan pair of senators, Tom Cotton of Arkansas and Chuck Schumer of New York, have introduced the American Security Robotics Act to bar federal agencies from purchasing or operating unmanned ground vehicle systems made by companies tied to designated foreign adversaries, including China. The bill covers humanoid robots, remote-controlled surveillance machines and other autonomous ground systems used by the federal government, and would also prohibit agencies from accessing such robots indirectly through contractors, grants or agreements. Schumer argues Chinese robotics firms could embed hidden "backdoors" that allow remote access or control and expose sensitive data and research, while Cotton frames Chinese-made robots as a direct threat to Americans’ privacy and national security. The proposed ban would take effect one year after enactment but includes carve-outs for national-security, research, testing and certain law-enforcement uses, reflecting concern in Washington that rapidly advancing foreign humanoid and patrol robots could become another channel for espionage and data theft.
📌 Key Facts
- Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) introduced the American Security Robotics Act targeting unmanned ground vehicle systems from foreign adversaries.
- The bill would bar federal agencies from buying or operating Chinese and other adversary-made humanoid, surveillance and other ground robots, including via contractors or grants.
- The legislation cites risks of hidden backdoors and remote-control capabilities in Chinese-made robots and would take effect one year after becoming law, with limited exceptions for national security, research, testing and some law-enforcement uses.
📊 Relevant Data
Chinese companies accounted for nearly 90% of global humanoid robot shipments in 2025.
Ranked: The Companies Shipping the Most Humanoid Robots — Visual Capitalist
There have been 224 reported instances of Chinese espionage directed at the United States since 2000, with many involving technology theft.
Survey of Chinese Espionage in the United States Since 2000 — Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)
China's National Intelligence Law of 2017 requires Chinese companies to cooperate with state intelligence work, potentially enabling backdoors in technology products.
China's Industrial and Military Robotics Development — U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission
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