Covered List

The Federal Communications Commission keeps the Covered List. It names gear the government believes could be used for spying, sabotage, or that creates a risky supply chain. Landing on it is close to a sales ban.

In July 2026 the FCC added “foreign-produced advanced robotic devices” to that list. The wording covers most robot vacuums, robot lawn mowers and similar connected machines made outside the US.

It works forward, not backward. A robot vacuum approved before the change can still be built, imported and sold. A new model made abroad cannot get approved unless it wins a special exemption.