Feds Issue Ban on Robotic Vacuum Cleaners – Here’s Why
(KMDL-FM) It is estimated that between 20 million and 30 million American households employ the services of a robot vacuum cleaner. The programmable devices thump and bump around a room in a random pattern that picks up the dust and dog hair while we're presumably out of the house. Certain models of those robot vacuum cleaners could be banned based on new guidance from the Federal Communications Commission.
The ban could also affect many children's toys and other electronic devices as it seeks to prohibit "advanced robotic devices" and connected power converters that are manufactured in foreign countries. Here's a spoiler alert: almost all of them are.
Robot Vacuum Cleaners Pose a Significant Risk to National Security
Believe it or not, if you boil down the FCC guidance to its barest form, that's exactly what they are saying, you're robot vacuum cleaner or your child's robot dog toy, is a threat to national security. The frightening part of this absurd concept is that they're probably right.
If you currently own a robot vacuum cleaner or other robotic toy, you're okay. This ban does not apply to items that are already in your home. But if you choose to purchase a robot vacuum from a manufacturer such as Samsung, Roborock, Ecovacs, or Dreame, you could be out of luck for a future purchase.
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We should also note that the popular Roomba robot vacuum cleaner is made in China and Vietnam and would certainly be subject to inclusion in this ban on advanced robotic devices.
What Is an "Advanced Robotic Device" According to the Federal Government?
By the way, an advanced robotic device is any device that is capable of moving on its own, can avoid obstacles, and can operate independently of humans. Again, if you already have yours, you're good for now.
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Just be careful what you say around the other appliances; you never know which one of those is listening.
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Gallery Credit: DJ Hassan
