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U.S. Senate pushes bill to ban Chinese-made robots over security fears

Lawmakers warn of hidden dangers in China's robotics boom. Could this bill reshape U.S. tech security—and spark a new Cold War in AI?

The image shows a cartoon of a man in a police uniform holding a sign that reads "I suspect our AI...
The image shows a cartoon of a man in a police uniform holding a sign that reads "I suspect our AI is plotting something against us" while two robots stand in front of him, one of them holding a paper with text on it. In the background, there is a wall with a screen and buttons.

U.S. Senate pushes bill to ban Chinese-made robots over security fears

A new bill in the U.S. Senate seeks to block federal agencies from buying or using Chinese-made robots. Senators Tom Cotton and Chuck Schumer are leading the effort, citing concerns over national security and privacy risks. Their proposal reflects broader worries about China's rapid advancements in robotics technology. The American Security Robotics Act, backed by Cotton and Schumer, would prohibit federal purchases of Chinese robots and unmanned ground vehicles. The senators argue that these machines could pose serious threats to data security and infrastructure. Their fears stem from China's expanding robotics sector, particularly in humanoid and autonomous systems.

No federal agency has reported acquiring Chinese robotics in the past five years, according to available records. Instead, discussions have focused on proposed bans and warnings rather than actual purchases. The push for restrictions comes as competition between the U.S. and China in robotics grows sharper.

In parallel, Representative Elise Stefanik plans to introduce a matching bill in the House of Representatives. The coordinated effort signals bipartisan agreement on limiting Chinese tech in government operations. Lawmakers stress the need to prevent potential espionage or vulnerabilities in critical systems. If passed, the legislation would mark a significant step in restricting Chinese robotics within U.S. federal operations. The move follows years of warnings about security risks tied to foreign-made technology. Observers expect the rivalry between the two nations in this field to escalate further.

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