Unitree Warns FCC Robot Restrictions Could Bar Its Future Models From the US Market

Unitree Robotics warned in the prospectus for its Shanghai STAR Market IPO — published around August 1 — that US Federal Communications Commission restrictions could bar its future robot models from the American market, Reuters reported. The FCC added foreign-produced advanced robotic devices and power inverters to its Covered List on July 28, citing "unacceptable risks to US national security" including the potential for foreign companies to remotely disable equipment, steal data, or leave devices vulnerable to cyberattacks. The announcement did not name China, but Reuters reported the measures target new Chinese robots and power inverters.

What's Still on Sale

Unitree said its currently sold products — the G1, H2, and R1 humanoid robots and the Go2, B2, and A2 quadrupeds — have already received FCC authorization and can continue to be sold in the US. But new models could be barred unless they obtain a specific exemption or conditional approval, and the company flagged the risk that the FCC could revoke existing authorizations or extend the restrictions retroactively. The US market contributed 18.39%, 19.54%, and 13.30% of Unitree's revenue in recent reporting periods.

"Unacceptable risks to US national security," the FCC said of the devices, which it argued could be remotely disabled or exploited via cyberattacks.

Countermeasures

China's Ministry of Commerce condemned the measures as discriminatory and threatened "resolute countermeasures." The restrictions land as Chinese makers dominate the humanoid market — roughly 15,000 humanoids shipped worldwide in 2025, with Unitree and AgiBot accounting for more than 10,000, per Omdia — while US firms like Tesla, Figure AI, and Agility Robotics shipped only about 150 units each.