Can I still buy a Unitree robot in the US after the FCC rule?

Yes, if the model was FCC-authorized before July 28, 2026. The FCC's Covered List update blocks new authorizations for foreign-produced advanced robotic devices, but it doesn't stop the import, sale or continued use of models that were already authorized.

Can a government agency buy Unitree robots?

The Department of Defense can't: Unitree is on its 1260H list. Other agencies may have their own restrictions on Chinese-made hardware, and federal bills to extend the ban are pending. For public buyers we check the rules first and, when needed, propose another brand.

Can the robot record audio?

Federal law requires only one party's consent, but several states (California, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Washington and others) require everyone's consent to record a conversation. Our default setup doesn't record audio.

Can I use facial recognition with the robot?

Illinois (BIPA), Texas (CUBI), Washington and California (CCPA) regulate biometric data, and Illinois lets individuals sue. Our default setup leaves facial recognition off.

Can a security robot patrol the sidewalk?

State sidewalk-robot laws were written for delivery devices, not patrol robots, so local right-of-way rules apply. We keep patrol robots on private property or in controlled-access areas.

United States · Rules

Are security robots legal in the US?

Q: Do I need a security license to use a robot dog at my company?

For the robot to patrol your own property with your own team, generally no: what states license is providing guard or patrol services to others. There is no federal or state license for security robots themselves. Licensing applies to the people and companies that provide guard or patrol services, and it varies by state. A robot that your own team runs on your own property generally needs no security license; offering patrols or monitored camera services to third parties can.

Yes, with conditions. There is no federal or state license for security robots themselves. Licensing applies to the people and companies that provide guard or patrol services, and it varies by state. A robot that your own team runs on your own property generally needs no security license; offering patrols or monitored camera services to third parties can.

Verified on October 14, 2026 against the sources cited. This guide is not legal advice: before each project we review the rules in force with the client.

Security licensing

No security license needed

Selling, renting, installing and programming robots that the property owner's own team operates.
Integrating the robot with the licensed security provider the client already works with.

Needs a license or a licensed partner

Supplying guard or patrol services to third parties: a state license, such as a private patrol operator license in California or a Class B agency license in Florida.
In Texas, offering camera systems monitored by security personnel likely falls under the Private Security Board's alarm-system licensing: we confirm it before quoting.

Massachusetts is debating a ban on weaponized robots (it passed the House 155-1 in June 2026). We never arm robots, in any state.

Statutes: California Business and Professions Code §7582.1 · Florida Statutes §493.6301 · Texas Occupations Code §1702.002

FCC: the Covered List rule for foreign-made robots

Since July 28, 2026, foreign-produced advanced robotic devices are on the FCC Covered List: new models can no longer get FCC authorization, but models authorized before that date can still be imported, sold and used, and can receive software updates through at least January 1, 2029. Unitree says the Go2, A2, B2, R1, G1 and H2 were authorized before the rule; we check the FCC ID on every unit.

Sources: FCC fact sheet on the Covered List update (July 28, 2026) · FCC, DA 26-786 · Morgan Lewis, on the software-update waiver (Aug 2026) · Digital Today, Unitree on its six existing models (Aug 10, 2026). We could not confirm the FCC IDs in the FCC database: that's why we check the label on each unit.

Federal and public-sector buyers

Unitree is on the Department of Defense's 1260H list of Chinese military companies (June 10, 2026). That bars DoD contracts with Unitree from June 30, 2026 and DoD contracts for goods it produces from June 30, 2027. It is not a ban on private purchase or use. Bills that would extend the restriction to all federal procurement (the American Security Robotics Act and provisions of the FY2027 NDAA) had not been enacted as of September 2026.

Sources: Federal Register, 91 FR 35189 (June 10, 2026) · WilmerHale, on the 1260H additions (June 12, 2026) · S.4235, American Security Robotics Act · Covington, China in the FY2027 NDAA (Sept 9, 2026)

Recording and biometric privacy

There is no single federal rule for this. Video is generally lawful in public and commercial areas (never in restrooms or changing rooms); recording conversations requires everyone's consent in states such as California, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Washington; and Illinois (BIPA), Texas (CUBI), Washington and California (CCPA) regulate biometric data such as facial recognition.

A robot with cameras is a moving camera: everything above applies, with signage at the entrance and on the robot itself.

Sources: Reporters Committee, recording consent by state · Koley Jessen, state biometric privacy laws · California Privacy Protection Agency, sensitive personal information

Sidewalks, public spaces and liability

Many states have laws for personal delivery devices on sidewalks (Florida, for example, caps them at 80 lb and 10 mph), but they were written for delivery robots, not for patrols. In practice, patrol robots work on private property or in controlled-access areas, events in public spaces need a local permit, and the owner or operator is liable for any damage the robot causes. That's why every deployment with an audience has an operator, a perimeter, an emergency stop and general liability insurance.

Robots are already part of public safety in the US, mostly Boston Dynamics' Spot: the Massachusetts State Police tested it in 2019, the NYPD brought its robot dog back in 2023, the Los Angeles City Council approved one for the LAPD in 2023, and the FDNY used one at a garage collapse in Manhattan that same year.

Sources: WBUR · TechSpot · ABC7 · Boston Dynamics

Import duties and trade shows

The US accepts the ATA Carnet for trade shows and professional equipment. Robots imported from China pay regular duty plus Section 301 duties (25% on List 1 and, since July 24, 2026, an additional 12.5%). If they classify as industrial robots (HTS 8479.50), that comes to around 40% on top of the declared value, by our own arithmetic; the classification of legged robots isn't settled, so we confirm it with a customs broker on each import.

Sources: USITC, Harmonized Tariff Schedule · USTR, Section 301 forced-labor action (July 23, 2026)

How we handle it on every project

We sell, rent and integrate the technology; monitoring and response stay with your team or a licensed security provider.
No patrols on public streets or sidewalks, and no armed robots.
Facial recognition and audio recording off by default, signage, and short footage retention.
Only models with an FCC authorization that predates July 28, 2026, checked by FCC ID on each unit.
For public-sector buyers, we check procurement restrictions first and propose another brand when needed.