英特尔请求FCC豁免外国产先进机器人限制，以维持美国晶圆厂AGV维护更新

Intel Corp. asked the Federal Communications Commission to make an exception to a recent ban on foreign-made advanced robotics, telling the agency it needs continued access to “niche” equipment critical to US semiconductor manufacturing.

Intel is concerned that its fleet of automated guided vehicles, or AGVs, falls under a blanket prohibition on the import and sale of the new, non-domestic technology, according to the petition, which was filed Oct. 16 and made public on Monday. The vehicles are used in semiconductor plants to transport materials.

The company said it’s “crucial” to American national security that the robots remain operational. There are currently no proven domestic alternatives that meet Intel’s stringent requirements, and replacing the present machines will take years, according to the petition. A disruption to their operation would have an “immediate negative impact on Intel’s US semiconducting manufacturing capacity.”

In July, the FCC added foreign-made advanced robotic devices to its “Covered List,” alongside Wi-Fi routers, drones and other pieces of equipment no longer allowed into the country due to national security risks.

While the bans don’t affect products that are already in the market, companies are restricted from updating hardware, software and firmware components in pre-existing devices. Businesses whose products fall under the bans can apply to the FCC and Department of War for a conditional waiver.

Intel told the commission that it’s unclear whether vehicle updates would put it out of compliance. It’s asking for the conditional waiver “out of an abundance of caution to ensure ongoing operation of these specific AGV units,” according to the petition.

“The routine maintenance Intel proposes to extend the life of the workhorse AGVs will not introduce cybersecurity risks, a key driver of the present restrictions,” Intel said.

Companies such as Japan’s Murata Machinery and Daifuku Co. are major suppliers of such equipment with competitors in Korea and Taiwan trying to make inroads in the market.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Micron Technology Inc., GlobalFoundries Inc., Samsung Electronics Co., Texas Instruments Inc. are other companies that operate chip plants and could similarly require this type of waiver.

The FCC’s covered list has become a favored and powerful tool to boost American technology investment. The administration is increasingly turning to the FCC over other import control methods to encourage companies to use exclusively American-made equipment and technology. In the past, the FCC imposed more specific bans on telecom equipment makers like Huawei Technologies Co. and ZTE Corp., as well as cybersecurity and anti-virus software provider Kaspersky Lab Inc. In the last year, the commission has issued prohibitions on broad categories of products instead of surgically targeting distrusted companies.

A waiver similar to Intel’s request would not necessarily be unusual. Router producer Netgear Inc.received a waiver to sell its products in April after the Department of War found the products don’t pose risks to US national security. AT&T Inc., Verizon Communications Inc. and broadband trade groups have also secured permission to update hardware in consumer-grade Wi-Fi routers.