China robot distributor pivots after US ban
▼ Summary
– RoboStore, a leading US distributor of Chinese humanoid robots and robot dogs, plans to produce its own robots at a facility on Long Island, New York.
– The pivot comes amid the US government’s growing crackdown on foreign-made robots.
– RoboStore was the main North American distributor for Unitree Robotics’ humanoid and quadruped robots, selling to universities like Harvard and MIT, and companies like Amazon and Nvidia.
– The company has sold over 1,500 robots and worked with customers including Cisco, OpenAI, Nvidia, and over 150 universities, according to CEO Teddy Haggerty.
A major American distributor of China’s most sought-after humanoid robots and robotic dogs is shifting strategy, announcing plans to manufacture its own machines at a new facility on Long Island, New York. The move comes as Washington escalates its restrictions on foreign robotics technology.
RoboStore, which had established itself as the premier North American gateway for Unitree Robotics products, is now pivoting to domestic production. Unitree, a Chinese firm known for producing some of the most cost-effective and widely adopted humanoid models, previously relied on RoboStore to reach a high-profile clientele. That customer base included elite academic institutions like Harvard and MIT, as well as major tech players such as Amazon and Nvidia, all of whom sourced Chinese-built robots through the distributor for their internal research initiatives.
Teddy Haggerty, founder and CEO of RoboStore, highlighted the company’s extensive footprint in the sector. “We’ve sold over 1,500 robots and deployed them and worked with customers like Cisco, OpenAI, Nvidia, and over 150 universities,” he said. The shift to local manufacturing marks a significant departure from a business model that previously thrived on importing affordable, high-volume robotics hardware from abroad.
The strategic repositioning underscores the ripple effects of the US government’s tightening stance on foreign-made robotic systems. By bringing production stateside, RoboStore aims to maintain its market presence and continue serving its established clientele without running afoul of new regulatory barriers. The Long Island facility is expected to focus on building robots that mirror the specifications and price points that made Unitree models so popular in the US market, ensuring continuity for existing customers while navigating a more restrictive trade environment.
(Source: Ars Technica)
