Technology and Scienceupdated 53m ago2 min read
FCC Grants Intel Waiver To Use Foreign-Made Robots In US Chip Fabs
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FCC grants Intel a one-year waiver from the foreign-made robotics ban. Waiver aims to prevent disruptions to domestic semiconductor manufacturing services for Intel's customers.
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Intel seeks FCC relief
Intel received a waiver after it said it was confused by a US government ban on foreign-made robots that could affect Intel’s chip fabs. The Federal Communications Commission published an order on October 22 allowing Intel to continue using foreign-made robots in US semiconductor manufacturing facilities for a period of one year. Intel said the robotic vehicles in question are automated guided vehicles operating on “tracks or predefined paths” that often require operator oversight, and Intel said they help move materials and items within warehouses and factory floors.
Intel also told the FCC that it was “unclear” whether its robotic vehicles even qualify as robots covered by the FCC ban, while Intel sought relief just in case. The FCC’s ban mainly covers new models of mobile robots, like humanoid robots and robot vacuums, while still allowing import of robots previously approved for sale in the United States.
Waiver scope and rationale
The FCC granted Intel a one-year waiver to prevent “potential disruptions in the availability of domestic semiconductor manufacturing services for Intel's customers.” Intel told the FCC that without the waiver it would not have been allowed to make software, firmware, and hardware changes for its “Automated Guided Vehicles” that it said could be classified by the agency as robots. Intel told the FCC there is a lack of proven domestic alternatives that meet operational requirements and replacing the automated guided vehicles would take Intel years and could disrupt its manufacturing operations.
An FCC official said the waiver would allow Intel to make minor changes to existing models of vehicles and does not involve swapping out any US-made components for foreign-made components. Intel said it appreciated the approval of its petition that “supports American manufacturing of leading-edge chips.”
Robotics rules and next steps
In July, the FCC barred imports of new Chinese robots and power inverters, and the FCC barred imports of new Chinese humanoid and quadruped robots, in addition to connected power inverters. The FCC has since granted some approvals to allow for continued specific robotic device imports, while the FCC’s rules still restrict major modifications to “previously authorized devices.” Ars Technica reported that Intel’s waiver request stated that the exact types of robotic vehicles used by Intel were only identified in a “confidential appendix” that accompanied its request.
Intel’s waiver also included approval to “make certain hardware, software, and firmware changes” that would help ensure the continued operation and maintenance of the robotic vehicles. The FCC’s decision left Intel able to keep using the automated guided vehicles in US semiconductor manufacturing facilities for one year, while the FCC’s broader robotics import restrictions remained in place for new models.