A Legislative Milestone for Robotics Regulation
The US House of Representatives has passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2027, which includes Section 163 — a provision barring the Pentagon from purchasing, leasing, or operating covered humanoid robotic systems associated with China, Russia, and Iran. The measure marks one of the first concrete federal restrictions specifically targeting humanoid robots on security grounds.
Scope and Rationale
Section 163 applies only to military procurement and use, leaving broader commercial sales of Chinese robots in the US market untouched for now. Lawmakers framed the restriction as a response to concerns about data privacy, supply chain integrity, and the potential for foreign-made autonomous systems to be used for surveillance or sabotage in sensitive defense environments.
The provision incorporates key elements of the GUARD Act (Guarding the US Against Adversarial Robotics Dominance Act), introduced last summer by Representative John Moolenaar, chair of the House Select Committee on China. However, it stops short of the GUARD Act's most aggressive measures — most notably, a requirement that the FCC evaluate Chinese humanoid and quadruped robots for its "Covered List," which would effectively ban their commercial sale by revoking wireless communication licenses.
Industry Context
According to Counterpoint Research, roughly 80 percent of global humanoid robot shipments last year came from Chinese manufacturers. By contrast, leading US developers — including Figure AI, Agility Robotics, and Tesla — each shipped approximately 150 units in 2025.
While the restriction is limited to defense procurement, it signals a growing trend of regulatory scrutiny around embodied AI systems with physical autonomy. Industry analysts expect further legislative and executive branch actions as humanoid robots proliferate in industrial, logistics, and public-facing settings.
Next Steps
The NDAA now moves to the Senate, where similar provisions are expected to receive bipartisan support. Once reconciled and signed into law, Section 163 would take effect within 180 days, with the Pentagon required to establish implementation guidelines for existing and future robotic system contracts.
