[Edaily Reporter Shin Yeong-bin ] As the U.S. tightens restrictions on Chinese-made humanoid and quadruped robots on national security grounds, attention is focused on whether domestic robot parts companies will have an opportunity to expand into the North American market.

According to the information technology (IT) industry on the 30th, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced measures to restrict imports of new Chinese-made humanoid and quadruped robots, as well as certain power inverters, citing national security concerns. As Chinese robotics companies have been expanding their market share in U.S. research institutions and the corporate sector, observers suggest that these measures could lead to a restructuring of the robotics supply chain.

The robotics industry believes that if it becomes difficult to source finished products from China, U.S. universities, research institutes, and startups are likely to seek alternative components and platforms. Analysts suggest this could also present an opportunity for ROBOTIS(108490), a supplier of actuators—a core component in robotics.

ROBOTIS’ flagship product is “Dynamixel,” an actuator that controls robot joints and movements. Actuators are core components that enable precise movements in humanoid robots, collaborative robots, and research robots.

ROBOTIS secured U.S. FCC certification for Dynamixel over a decade ago and has been supplying the product to the U.S. market ever since. According to the company, its new actuator lineup and robotic hands have also obtained FCC certification, and its humanoid platform is currently undergoing the FCC certification process.

The North American market is already a major export destination for ROBOTIS. According to the company, ROBOTIS’ exports to the U.S. last year accounted for approximately 44% of its overseas sales, totaling over 10 billion won. In the first half of this year, sales in North America have continued to grow compared to the same period last year.

ROBOTIS is an export-oriented robotics company with a high proportion of overseas sales in its total revenue. There are expectations that if U.S. regulations on Chinese-made robots are fully implemented, demand for alternative components—which pose fewer security concerns and have secured certification—could increase.

In particular, if U.S. companies increasingly adopt core components from allied nations to assemble their own products or build research platforms instead of using finished products from China, demand for robotic actuators such as Dynamixel could expand.

A ROBOTIS official stated, “The company has already demonstrated the quality and security required by the U.S. market by obtaining FCC certification for Dynamixel a decade ago,” adding, “As demand for reliable core robot components is growing, particularly in North America, we expect these U.S. measures to serve as a catalyst for expanding our sales in North America.”