Key Takeaways
- •Rep. Jay Obernolte (R, CA-23) advocated for his bipartisan National Commission on Robotics Act to create a federal strategy for reclaiming global leadership and countering China’s massive industrial investments.
- •Michael Robbins (President and Chief Executive Officer, Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International) warned that China’s 80 percent control of the humanoid market creates a dangerous strategic dependency for America.
- •Rep. Jay Obernolte (R, CA-23) and Evan Beard (CEO, Standard Bots) discussed how robotics can augment workers by handling dangerous tasks rather than replacing human labor in the manufacturing sector.
- •Rep. Haley Stevens (D, MI-11) and Rep. Luz Rivas (D, CA-29) opposed cuts to the Manufacturing Extension Partnership, while Republicans prioritized banning Chinese robots to protect critical domestic infrastructure.
- •Developing a national strategy is essential for securing domestic supply chains for rare earth magnets and sensors to prevent adversarial nations from remotely disrupting or spying on American factories.
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Hearing Analysis
Overview
This hearing examined the critical need for the United States to reclaim global leadership in the robotics and automation sectors, particularly as artificial intelligence converges with physical hardware to create "physical AI." Members and witnesses discussed the strategic and economic threats posed by the People's Republic of China, which currently leads the world in robot adoption and manufacturing. The discussion focused on the necessity of a national robotics strategy to bolster domestic manufacturing, secure supply chains for critical components like rare earth magnets, and prepare the American workforce for a highly automated industrial future.
Key Testimony & Policy
Witnesses emphasized that while the U.S. remains a leader in software and AI "brains," it has fallen behind in producing the robotic "bodies" that execute physical tasks. Evan Beard, co-founder and CEO of Standard Bots, testified that China installed nearly ten times as many robots as the U.S. last year, driven by heavy state subsidies. He proposed a four-part national plan involving the establishment of robotics centers of excellence in every state and defending the market from foreign manipulation. Michael Robbins, President and CEO of the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), warned that the U.S. is creating a "more intelligent dependence" by developing AI software that runs on adversarial hardware. He called for "rip and replace" programs to remove Chinese-made robotics from sensitive areas, similar to previous actions taken against Chinese telecommunications and drone technology.
Legislative solutions centered on the National Commission on Robotics Act (H.R. 7334), introduced by Rep. Jay Obernolte (R, CA-23). This bipartisan bill would establish a federal commission of experts to evaluate U.S. competitiveness and provide policy recommendations. Jeff Burnstein, President of the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), advocated for a central government robotics office and tax incentives to drive adoption among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Dr. Susan Helper of Case Western Reserve University highlighted the importance of "co-design," where workers and unions are involved in the deployment of robotics to ensure technology augments rather than replaces human labor. She pointed to the Department of Energy’s battery workforce initiative as a model for collaborative training.
The role of federal agencies was a recurring theme. Witnesses praised the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for its work on safety standards and the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) for helping small manufacturers integrate new technologies. However, there was significant debate regarding the funding and structure of the MEP, with some witnesses suggesting it needs more centralized resources to be effective.
Notable Exchanges & Partisan Dynamics
A primary point of contention involved the Trump administration's proposed budget cuts to research and manufacturing programs. Rep. Haley Stevens (D, MI-11) and Rep. Luz Rivas (D, CA-29) criticized proposals to eliminate the MEP and cut funding for the National Science Foundation (NSF) and NIST, arguing such moves would undermine the very goals of the hearing. Rep. Rivas specifically noted that cutting K-12 STEM programs would damage the future workforce pipeline.
There was also a nuanced debate over trade policy and tariffs. While Evan Beard and Michael Robbins supported aggressive bans or high tariffs on Chinese robotics to protect domestic startups, Jeff Burnstein expressed concern that such measures could backfire. He noted that U.S. manufacturers currently rely on components from allies like Japan and South Korea, and that aggressive trade wars might restrict access to essential parts like rare earth magnets that are not yet produced at scale in the U.S.
Rep. Bill Foster (D, IL-11) raised critical concerns regarding cybersecurity and "trusted silicon." He questioned whether the U.S. needs a regulatory agency to "call balls and strikes" on the security of robotic hardware to prevent mass hacking events. Michael Robbins agreed, noting that adversary-linked robots could serve as "Trojan horses" for surveillance or remote disruption of American infrastructure.
Organizations Mentioned
- People's Republic of China (China): Discussed as the primary strategic competitor that has invested over $100 billion to dominate the global robotics market and supply chains. - Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP): Highlighted as a vital network for helping small U.S. manufacturers adopt robotics, though witnesses debated its current funding and efficiency. - National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST): Praised for developing the measurement science and safety standards necessary for deploying robots in unstructured environments like homes and hospitals. - Association for Advancing Automation (A3): Represented by Jeff Burnstein, this trade group advocated for a national strategy and increased federal coordination to support its 1,400 member companies. - Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI): Represented by Michael Robbins, the organization focused on the national security implications of robotics and the need for a "rip and replace" strategy for adversarial tech. - Standard Bots: Mentioned as a leading domestic manufacturer of AI-native industrial robots that is attempting to vertically integrate its supply chain to avoid reliance on foreign parts. - United Auto Workers (UAW): Cited by Rep. Stevens as a model for how labor unions can successfully negotiate the safe and productive adoption of robotics in manufacturing. - National Science Foundation (NSF): Identified as a key funder of foundational robotics research through its specialized programs.
What's Next
The subcommittee will continue to monitor the progress of the National Commission on Robotics Act (H.R. 7334) as it moves through the legislative process. Witnesses urged the administration to issue an executive order to appoint a central robotics coordinator to align agency actions. Future discussions are expected to focus on the FY2027 budget, specifically regarding funding levels for NIST and the MEP. Additionally, members indicated interest in further investigating the national security risks of foreign-made robotic systems and exploring "advanced market commitments" to stimulate domestic production of critical components like actuators and sensors.
Transcript
The subcommittee on research and technology will come to order. Without objection the chair is authorized to declare a recess of the subcommittee at any time. I would like to start by recognizing myself for five minutes for an opening statement. I would like to thank everyone for being here. I am really excited about this hearing entitled Robots Made in America: Advancing U.S. Leadership in Manufacturing and Automation. Robotics have catalyzed the American economy for over a century. Articulated robots with joints like human arms have long served as essential components for handling, welding, and assembly in industrial manufacturing. Robotics is critical to industries ranging from automotive manufacturing to space exploration and healthcare. The potential for robots to assist and enhance human capabilities is vast, and a new phase of advancement is underway. For many years humanoid robots were seen as the stuff of science fiction, but with the rapid development of artificial intelligence, so-called physical AI, the integration of AI into robotics systems, may be the key to unlocking new ways to deploy robotics across the United States. The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy's AI Action Plan notes the importance of this intersection between AI and robotics. Physical AI could unleash a robotics renaissance, and America must remain at the forefront. The United States must act decisively. The Chinese Communist Party has invested billions in its robotics industry and has pursued an aggressive strategy to dominate the global market. As technologies like physical AI advance, it is more important than ever for the United States to adopt a national robotics strategy to support manufacturing, bolster our economy, and assist the American worker. That is why earlier this year I introduced the National Commission on Robotics Act. This bipartisan legislation would establish a national commission tasked with evaluating the United States' competitiveness in robotics. The commission, comprised of experts from academia, industry, and the public sector, would provide policy recommendations to strengthen American leadership in robotics, helping Congress develop forward-looking policies that keep America competitive in this new era of innovation. A new vision for robotics could help solve labor shortages, increase U.S. productivity in manufacturing, and support logistics. In the future, humanoid robots could serve as caretakers for the elderly or act as supplemental workers that assist humans in performing the most physically demanding tasks in factories, thereby protecting the health of American workers. Academic institutions across our country play a central role in advancing robotics research. The National Science Foundation invests in fundamental research in robotics through its Foundational Research in Robotics program, which supports robotics systems with both computational capability and physical complexity. The National Institute of Standards and Technology is also critical in developing standards for safety and innovation. Together these efforts support key areas of research and development including collaborative robots, dexterous manipulation, mobility, and industrial autonomous vehicles. Robotics research and innovation are essential to maintaining America's leadership in technological advancement. Understanding the current state of robotics in the United States will help inform this committee's work as we consider a national robotics strategy. I would like to thank our witnesses for being here and I appreciate their willingness to help the subcommittee assess U.S. robotics research and development. I would like to now recognize the ranking member of the subcommittee, Representative Stevens of Michigan, for five minutes for her opening statement.
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