The United States must “act now” to regain its global leadership in the robotics industry, stakeholders urged lawmakers this week. They recommended passing bills that establish tax incentives, workforce training programs and other means to drive domestic adoption and production.

China currently maintains a growing lead in artificial intelligence and robotics deployments, installing nearly 10 times more robots than the U.S. per year, Jeff Burnstein, president of the Association for Advancing Automation, said at a House research and technology subcommittee hearing on Tuesday.

U.S. robotics startups and companies are gaining traction with support from private and corporate investments and partnerships. Fanuc America last month announced plans to build a $90 million robotics manufacturing facility in Michigan. Meanwhile, partnerships that aim to scale physical AI in manufacturing — including ABB Robotics and Nvidia, or Flex and Teradyne Robotics — are catching on.

However, more work needs to be done in terms of policy to reclaim the U.S.’ leading position in robotics, industry stakeholders said at the subcommittee hearing.

The world’s first robot company, Unimation, was founded in the U.S. in 1956, according to the National Investors Hall of Fame. It sold its first robotic arm to a GM plant in Ewing Township, New Jersey, where the technology was used to stack hot metal. Despite this innovation being billed as “the next industrial revolution,” Burnstein said the robotics industry struggled to find acceptance in the U.S.

Robotics companies faced protests from workers fearful of job loss. He said challenges like this prevented the U.S. government from offering support to the industry and allowed countries like Japan and China to surpass the U.S. with their own national robotics strategies.

“Is it too late for America to regain its leadership in robotics?” Burnstein said. “My answer is no, but we need to act now.”

In early February, Rep. Jay Obernolte, R-Calif., introduced the National Commission on Robotics Act, which would establish a national commission of 18 experts tasked with evaluating the U.S.’ competitiveness in robotics and providing policy recommendations to strengthen the nation’s leadership in the sector. The commission would submit an interim report within one year and a final report within two years with actionable recommendations to Congress.

A new vision for robotics could help solve labor shortages, increase U.S. productivity in manufacturing and support logistics, said Obernolte, chairman of the House research and technology subcommittee.

“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,” he said at the hearing.

Burnstein’s organization, known as A3, strongly supports the passage of Obernolte’s bill. Burnstein also emphasized the importance of creating incentives, as opposed to tariffs, in driving the adoption of U.S. robotics. Because the industry relies heavily on equipment and parts from overseas, he argued the best mode of action would be in the form of favorable tax policies, such as tax credits and accelerated depreciation. These would include breaks on capital costs, as well as integration and training costs.

In addition to favorable incentives, Evan Beard, CEO of Standard Bots, recommended establishing a center of robotics and manufacturing excellence in every state that would be similar in scope to the Manufacturing Extension Partnership, but offer more technical assistance and training.

He also proposed a ban on robotics made in China and for the International Trade Commission to investigate foreign dumping in the sector.

“Physical AI has the potential to transform every industry and assist in solving major societal challenges,” Burnstein said. “No country can win the AI race without also leading in robotics.”

By: DocMemory
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