By Ashley Biancuzzo – Recently, the U.S. government announced new restrictions affecting certain “advanced robotic devices” sold in the country. According to the Federal Communications Commission, the rules cover “mobile robots, such as humanoids and quadrupeds,” as well as autonomous mobile robots.

And yes, this includes robot vacuums.

But why, though?

It boils down to national security concerns, really. Officials are worried that connected robots, including some robot vacuums, could potentially collect sensitive information like home layouts, camera images, and other data. Since many modern robot vacuums need an internet connection and rely on cloud services, the government says they could introduce new cybersecurity risks if they aren’t properly secured.

They could also potentially be exploited for remote access. Remember when The Verge deliberately hacked a robot lawn mower to prove a point? Just some food for thought.

This concern makes more sense when you look at what today’s high-end robot vacuums are actually capable of. Many of them now have cameras, LiDAR sensors, and AI-powered object recognition. Basically, they’re less like traditional appliances and more like small robots roaming around your humble abode.  Read On: