SAN FRANCISCO, March 26 (Reuters) – Two U.S. senators on Thursday planned to introduce a bill that would ban the government from buying or operating humanoid robots made by Chinese firms.
Tom Cotton of Arkansas, the third most-powerful Republican in the Senate, and Chuck Schumer of New York, the top Democrat in the chamber, plan to put forward the American Security Robotics Act, which would prohibit the federal government from buying or using unmanned ground vehicles made by adversaries such as China and bar the use of federal funds in connection with the robots.
The bill comes as Chinese firms compete with U.S. firms such as Tesla (TSLA.O), opens new tab to deliver humanoid robots that can stand in for humans for tasks as varied as dangerous manufacturing work and household chores. At least two Chinese firms – Agibot and Unitree – are preparing to list shares in China this year as their products capture attention there.