FCC Grants Intel Expedited Waiver to Avoid US Ban On Foreign Robotics

The Federal Communications Commission has granted Intel an expedited waiver to avoid issues stemming from a US ban on foreign robotics.

In late 2025, the FCC tightened its rules on modifying equipment on its national security Covered List, and in July 2026 it added foreign-produced advanced robotic devices to that list. Given that such equipment can be used in everything from drones to autonomous driving, officials wanted to ensure such technology could be trusted and was not being used to gather information about sensitive infrastructure. This is especially true in the case of Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs).

Intel petitioned the FCC for a waiver, to help protect its hardware and software endeavors, and the agency’s Office of Engineering and Technology granted one on October 22.

We find that granting Intel’s request, subject to the limitations set forth below, meets the waiver standard based on the particular facts presented in the Intel Waiver Request. Intel states that the AGVs identified in its request are mature, production-critical assets used in its semiconductor manufacturing facilities in the United States lacking proven domestic alternatives that meet their operational requirements; replacing the AGVs would require Intel to commission, evaluate, purchase, and integrate replacement equipment, a process that Intel anticipates will take years.12 Intel further states that an inability to perform maintenance, updates, or component replacement could disrupt its manufacturing operations.13 We therefore find that permitting Intel to make the limited changes described in its request will serve the public interest by preventing these potential disruptions to Intel’s semiconductor manufacturing operations in the United States. Moreover, this waiver will not undermine the national security and public safety purposes of the Commission’s rules because, among other facts, Intel represents that the identified AGVs will remain under Intel’s control and within Intel’s facilities; Intel states they will not market the updated AGVs.14 Intel further represents that modifications made pursuant to this waiver will not improve the performance or capability, or alter the functionality, of the RF-related characteristics of a previously authorized device, will not be used to market a previously authorized device as a distinct model, and will not involve replacing a U.S.-produced component with a foreign- produced component.15 Intel states that the requested modifications are intended only to facilitate the continued operation and maintenance of the AGVs, rather than introduce new capabilities.16 We rely on these representations in granting the limited relief described below.

The FCC reiterated that the waiver is for one year, and only applies to the specific AGVs outlined in the waiver.

We therefore grant Intel’s waiver request for the limited purpose of permitting Intel to make the hardware, software, and firmware changes described in the Intel Waiver Request and Confidential Appendix to the specific AGVs identified therein, so long as those changes are otherwise consistent with the Commission’s rules and the representations on which we rely in this Order.17 To the extent a proposed software or firmware change is already authorized under OET’s July 28, 2026 waiver, no additional relief under this Order is necessary.18 This waiver does not apply to AGVs other than those identified in the Intel Waiver Request and Confidential Appendix, does not authorize changes beyond those described therein, and does not otherwise alter the application of sections 2.932 and 2.1043 to covered equipment.

The waiver is a major win for Intel as it continues its efforts to reclaim its crown as the world’s leading semiconductor maker.