After years of treating robotics policies as minor or specialized topics, Washington is finally starting to recognize their significance. Overlooking the role of robotics won’t help the U.S. lead in AI.
While artificial intelligence represents software, robotics pertains to hardware. They are intimately connected. Thus, a national strategy for AI that excludes robotics is somewhat incomplete. In addition, China has earmarked over $350 billion for its 2025 initiatives, aiming to harness provincial resources to dominate both AI and robotics.
On a positive note, there are indications of long-awaited policy shifts emerging in the capital. Various prominent think tanks and associations, alongside competitive research projects, have recently urged for immediate focus on robotics.
This past spring, the House of Representatives Selection Committee on the Communist Party of China organized a “Robotics Symposium.” It marked one of the most in-depth discussions in Congress thus far concerning the competitiveness of robotics. Additionally, in May, a bipartisan group of lawmakers started the Revitalization Congressional Robotics Caucus, aiming to inform colleagues and develop a comprehensive legislative framework for robotics.
These actions show an increasing consensus within the government that robotics is vital for our national competitiveness. Last month, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick aptly described robotics as “the future of American manufacturing” and crucial for revitalizing domestic industry. Over 50 organizations have emphasized the importance of robotics in their contributions to the White House National AI Action Plan, with many expecting robotics recommendations to be included.
However, momentum by itself isn’t a strategy. The U.S. urgently needs a robust national robotics plan. This would ensure we are not outpaced by global competitors. The focus should be on investing in advanced robotics research and development, rebuilding manufacturing hubs, addressing unfair trade practices, and equipping the American workforce with the necessary skills in robotics engineering, design, operation, and maintenance.
Executive Orders could play a key role here. An order on robotics could align various government agencies to prioritize robotics policies and invigorate the American robotics sector. Some impactful actions might include:
- The Science and Technology Bureau coordinating federal science and technology strategies and creating interagency groups that involve the Central Robot Bureau, academic institutions, and industry leaders.
- The Industrial Bureau and Security Bureau investigating unfair trade practices from foreign competitors and suggesting policies to bolster the domestic robotics supply chain.
- Various entities, such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology, could establish technical standards for robotics and automated technologies, while the Occupational Safety and Health Administration could develop safety best practices for robotics deployment, enhancing trust in buying and operating such technologies.
- The National Science Foundation can prioritize grants and awards for applied robotics, promoting educational opportunities in the field.
Additionally, Congress could make a significant move this year by setting up a national committee on robotics, similar to committees focused on areas like AI, cyber security, and biotechnology, to recommend strategies that keep the U.S. competitive globally.
Robotics enhance productivity, support national security, and have the potential to revolutionize sectors from agriculture to elder care. Ultimately, robotics embody American ingenuity, and our policies need to reflect that.
Washington must act swiftly. The robotics race isn’t merely a part of AI; it’s a crucial indicator that AI is becoming tangible.
And that’s a race we can’t afford to lose.
