IT Home On October 20, according to Bloomberg, Intel has applied to the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for a waiver of a recent ban on advanced foreign robots, stating that it needs continuous use of such “niche” devices that are crucial for U.S. semiconductor manufacturing.
The petition document submitted on October 16 and made public on Monday local time shows that Intel is concerned that the automated guided vehicles (AGVs) used in its factories may be included in the comprehensive import and sales ban on new foreign technologies. Such devices are used for transporting materials within semiconductor factories.
Intel stated in its application that ensuring the normal operation of these robots is “critically important” for U.S. national security. Currently, there are no mature domestic alternatives that can meet Intel’s strict standards, and replacing existing equipment will take several years. If the equipment fails to operate, it will “immediately have a negative impact on Intel’s semiconductor manufacturing capacity in the United States.”
IT Home notes that in July this year, the FCC included advanced robot devices manufactured outside the United States on a “control list”. Devices such as Wi‑Fi routers and drones are also on this list. Due to national security concerns, these products are prohibited from entering the US market.
The ban does not affect equipment that is already in use within the country, but companies are unable to upgrade the existing equipment with hardware, software, and firmware. Companies whose products fall under the ban can apply for conditional exemption with the FCC and the U.S. Department of Defense.
Intel told the committee that it is still unclear whether upgrading the AGV would violate regulations. The petition states that, out of caution, the company requested this conditional exemption in order to ensure the continuous operation of these specific AGV devices.
“Intel states that the routine maintenance operations planned to extend the service life of these main AGVs will not introduce any network security risks, and network security is the core reason for the restrictions being imposed.”
Nippon Murakawa Machinery and Daifuku Company are the main suppliers of such equipment, and manufacturers in South Korea and Taiwan, China are also striving to enter this market.
Companies such as TSMC, Micron, GigaTek, Samsung Electronics, and Texas Instruments, which also operate chip factories, may also need similar exemption licenses in the future.
The FCC’s regulatory list has become a common tool for the U.S. to promote domestic technology investment. FCC commissioner Gomez also called for greater transparency in import ban rules. The U.S. government is increasingly using the FCC as a means, rather than other import controls, to encourage companies to use equipment and technologies manufactured locally in the U.S. In the past, the FCC has imposed more targeted bans on communication equipment manufacturers such as Huawei and ZTE, as well as cybersecurity and antivirus companies like Kaspersky Lab. However, last year, the agency changed its approach to impose bans on broad categories of products, instead of targeting only specific untrustworthy companies.
Such exemptions applied for by Intel are not an exception. Netgear, a router manufacturer, obtained an exemption permit in April this year, and the U.S. Department of Defense determined that its products do not pose a threat to U.S. national security. AT&T and Verizon in the United States, as well as the broadband industry association, were also approved to perform hardware upgrades on consumer Wi‑Fi routers.
Intel's stock price rose 2.4% at the close on Monday local time.