China-U.S. Tech War: U.S. Lawmakers to Introduce Bill Banning Federal Government from Purchasing or Using Humanoid Robots Made by Chinese Companies
On Thursday, two U.S. federal senators plan to introduce a bill prohibiting the government from purchasing or operating humanoid robots manufactured by Chinese companies.
Republican Senator Tom Cotton and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer are set to propose the "American Secure Robotics Act." The legislation would ban the federal government from buying or using unmanned ground vehicles made in China and other countries, and prohibit the use of federal funds on projects related to such robots.
This move comes as Chinese companies are competing with American firms like Tesla to develop humanoid robots capable of performing a wide range of tasks—from hazardous manufacturing jobs to household chores—potentially replacing human labor.
At least two Chinese companies—AgiBot (Intelligent Robot) and Unitree Robotics—are preparing to go public in China this year, drawing significant attention due to their innovative products.
On Thursday, the senators issued statements asserting that such robots pose national security risks to the United States, as they could be used to collect data and send it back to China, or potentially be remotely controlled by Chinese authorities. Last year, a group of lawmakers urged the Pentagon to place Unitree Robotics on a list of companies allegedly collaborating with China’s military.
Cotton, representing Arkansas, stated, "Robots made in China threaten the privacy and national security of residents in Arkansas." Schumer added, "This is another example of China trying to flood the American market with its technology in the robotics sector, posing real security risks and threats to Americans’ privacy, research, and industry."
It is reported that the bill will allow the U.S. military and law enforcement agencies to study Chinese-made robots, provided these robots do not transmit data to China or receive data from China.
In the U.S. House of Representatives, Republican Representative Elise Stefanik is scheduled to announce a corresponding bill on Thursday, mirroring the Senate version.
In a statement, Stefanik emphasized, "We must continue to strengthen and consolidate America’s leadership in robotics while protecting our privacy and national security from adversarial threats."
Source: rfi
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1860743237693580/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.