Following the FCC's ban on foreign-made robots, leading U.S. distributor RoboStore has announced plans to build its own robots at a new facility on Long Island, New York. The move aims to secure its supply chain and compete with domestic manufacturers amid rising geopolitical pressure.

  • RoboStore has sold over 1,500 robots to universities and tech giants.
  • The FCC ban on foreign robots forced the company to pivot to U.S. manufacturing.
  • The Long Island plant is slated to begin operations by late 2024, targeting 5,000 units annually.

RoboStore’s Rise and Current Landscape

Founded by Teddy Haggerty, RoboStore became the primary North American distributor for Unitree Robotics’ affordable humanoid and quadruped robots. Prestigious institutions such as Harvard, MIT, Amazon, and Nvidia purchased these Chinese‑made units for R&D, with Haggerty noting, "We’ve sold over 1,500 robots and deployed them with customers like Cisco, OpenAI, Nvidia, and over 150 universities."

Impact of the FCC Ban

In 2023, the Federal Communications Commission imposed security‑related restrictions on imported robots, effectively limiting the flow of Chinese‑manufactured units into U.S. labs. This regulatory shift threatened RoboStore’s core revenue stream, prompting a strategic reassessment.

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The New Production Facility on Long Island

RoboStore has leased a 20,000‑square‑foot facility in Long Island, New York, where it plans to assemble up to 5,000 robots per year. The plant will feature AI‑driven assembly lines, testing labs, and a dedicated customer‑support hub, creating new jobs for the local workforce.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that the shift from import‑reliant distribution to domestic manufacturing marks a pivotal moment for the U.S. robotics ecosystem, potentially spurring local supply chains and reducing geopolitical vulnerabilities.

"The U.S. robotics sector now has to double‑down on home‑grown production, which will accelerate innovation across academia and industry," says AI analyst Dr. Maya Patel.
Did You Know?: The Long Island site was formerly a maritime warehouse, giving the new plant a logistical edge for raw‑material imports.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Will RoboStore’s domestically produced robots match Unitree’s price point?

Answer: The company promises competitively priced entry‑level models, though advanced variants may carry a modest premium.

Question 2: How will this shift affect U.S. universities?

Answer: Universities can expect faster delivery times and stronger after‑sales support, potentially accelerating research timelines.