# US ban on foreign-made robots is vaguely defined; Intel applies for and receives FCC waiver to keep using AGVs at chip fabs

- Source: Ars Technica
- Published: 2026-10-23T17:18:31.000Z
- RoboHot: https://robohot.news/en/items/rnnz1zlnazfobrw37f7n4asb8
- Original: https://arstechnica.com/ai/2026/10/intel-gets-waiver-after-worries-fuzzy-us-ban-on-foreign-made-robots-may-hit-fabs/

## Summary

Citing uncertainty over the scope of the US ban on foreign-made robots, Intel applied for and received an FCC waiver allowing it to continue using certain foreign-made automated guided vehicles (AGVs) at its US chip fabs for one year. The FCC issued an order approving the request on October 22, while also allowing Intel to make specific hardware, software, and firmware changes to the robots to maintain operation and upkeep. The ban mainly targets new types of mobile robots such as humanoid robots and robot vacuums; imports of robots already approved for sale in the US are unaffected.