A Federal Communications Commission (FCC) waiver gives Intel a year to keep using, servicing and modifying specified automated guided vehicles at its U.S. semiconductor facilities, addressing a risk to customer access to domestic chipmaking services.
The FCC’s Office of Engineering and Technology issued the order Oct. 22. It waives equipment-modification provisions in 47 CFR Sections 2.932(b) and 2.1043(b) for the vehicles listed in Intel’s filing. The relief covers their continued use, maintenance and specified modifications; it does not create a general waiver for foreign-made robots.
The FCC said enforcing the rules could disrupt the chipmaking services available to Intel customers in the United States. The order does not quantify any potential production losses or financial costs.
Intel’s Oct. 16 petition said the vehicles move materials within its facilities and have been in use for more than 20 years. The company said it had not found a proven domestic alternative that met its requirements and that replacing the vehicles would take years. Intel also said it was uncertain whether the vehicles fell within the FCC’s covered category and sought relief as a precaution.
The waiver follows the FCC’s July 28 addition of foreign-produced advanced robotic devices to its Covered List, citing a national security determination. That listing includes an exception for devices granted conditional approval by the Department of War. Intel’s order applies to the specific vehicles and work identified in its filing.
A separate FCC waiver allows certain software and firmware updates for previously authorized covered robots through Jan. 1, 2029. The Intel order says updates already allowed under that waiver do not need additional relief.
