After the push for artificial intelligence, the Trump administration is now exploring the use of robots.

Five months after unveiling a strategy to accelerate artificial intelligence development, the Trump administration is now directing attention toward robotics. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has held meetings with executives from the robotics sector and is reportedly fully committed to advancing the industry, according to sources familiar with the discussions who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

The administration is reportedly contemplating an executive order on robotics for next year. A Department of Commerce representative emphasized: We are dedicated to robotics and advanced manufacturing, as they are essential for restoring critical production capabilities in the United States.

Meanwhile, the Department of Transportation is planning to introduce a robotics working group, potentially before the years end, according to an insider. The department did not respond to requests for comment.

Interest in robotics is also growing in Congress. A Republican proposal to create a national robotics commission as part of the National Defense Authorization Act was not adopted, though other legislative initiatives are in progress. This wave of activity indicates that robotics is becoming a key area in the U.S.-China technological competition, reflecting the administrations broader industrial policy aimed at maintaining a competitive edge in sectors like AI.

However, promoting robotics presents a potential conflict with one of Trumps major goals: revitalizing the U.S. manufacturing workforce. While general-purpose humanoid robots may seem futuristic, advances in AI are enabling machines to perform increasingly complex tasks by analyzing large amounts of data rapidly.

The International Federation of Robotics reports that by 2023, China had 1.8 million industrial robots in operation, quadruple the U.S. total. Countries such as China, Japan, Australia, Germany, and Singapore all maintain national robotics strategies. Closing the gap would require significant investment, with funding projected to reach $2.3 billion in 2025, double the previous years amount. Goldman Sachs predicts the global market for humanoid robots could hit $38 billion by 2035.

Industry leaders have been urging government action, emphasizing that robots are the tangible embodiment of AI. They advocate for federal support, including tax incentives, funding, and trade measures to counteract Chinese subsidies and IP practices. Its crucial to establish a national robotics strategy to support this growing sector and maintain U.S. competitiveness, said Apptronik CEO Jeff Cardenas.

Austin-based startup Apptronik, backed by Google and valued at $5 billion, has created Apollo, a versatile humanoid robot now operational in an automotive factory. Brendan Schulman, VP of policy at Boston Dynamics, highlighted the strategic importance of advanced robotics for U.S. manufacturing, technology, national security, and public safety. He noted that developments in China are closely watched by U.S. policymakers.

One challenge is aligning a national robotics initiative with efforts to revive American manufacturing. Critics caution that excessive automation could lead to factories staffed primarily by machines rather than people. Research from the National Bureau of Economic Research indicates that automation in routine roles often reduces employment opportunities and wages.

Alternatively, robotics could complement manufacturing, with workers building, maintaining, and managing robots that drive industrial growth. Jeff Burnstein, president of the Association for Advancing Automation, argued that robotics can enhance productivity and expand employment. Investing in robotics often means investing in more people as companies grow, he said.

The future is man and machine working together, not in opposition, added Cardenas. Robots should enhance human capability, not replace it. Ensuring the U.S. leads in this technology is critical.

Author: Harper Simmons