The Samsung Electronics subsidiary had been working on a North American export contract covering dozens of RB-Y1 units, but that order has been halted since the FCC rules took effect. The report said the company cannot currently guarantee when U.S. exports will resume.
The FCC added foreign-produced advanced robotic devices to its Covered List on July 28, 2026. The restriction prevents new foreign-produced models from receiving the equipment authorization required for lawful importation, marketing and sale in the U.S. unless they obtain Conditional Approval. Previously authorized models are unaffected.
The rule covers mobile advanced robots including humanoids and quadrupeds and is based on place of production rather than company nationality. That means Korean, Japanese and European manufacturers can be affected alongside Chinese suppliers.
Electronic Times reported that the impact is also reaching other Korean robotics companies. One unnamed autonomous mobile robot supplier has delayed a first U.S. order, while T-Robotics is reviewing the implications for a roughly ₩15 billion contract with Ford Energy Battery covering automated guided vehicles through June 2028.
Foreign-made robots can still seek conditional approval from the U.S. Department of War. Separately, manufacturers can avoid the foreign-produced classification if they meet U.S. manufacturing and component-origin requirements, although Korean industry participants told Electronic Times that the required supply-chain restructuring would be difficult and expensive.
