Policy Solutions

Overview

The Partnership for Robotics Competitiveness advances a targeted set of federal policy solutions to ensure the United States leads the world in robotics and embodied AI. Modeled on AUVSI’s Partnership for Drone Competitiveness, the initiative reflects a simple premise: coordinated action between industry, users, and policymakers is essential to strengthen U.S. competitiveness, security, and innovation. 

Robotics and embodied AI are foundational technologies shaping manufacturing, logistics, infrastructure, energy, and national defense. Federal policy must evolve to reflect their strategic importance and address the unique challenges of physical, real-world systems. 

1. Establish and Implement a National Robotics Strategy 
   The United States lacks a unified national approach to robotics. Federal efforts remain fragmented across agencies and sectors. A National Robotics Strategy should align research, development, deployment, and workforce efforts around clear national objectives. Establishing a centralized, coordinated national strategy is crucial to provide clarity to industry and government while accelerating responsible adoption and enabling further policy action. 
   A coordinated strategy should: 

• Define national goals for robotics and embodied AI leadership 
• Align federal investments and programs across agencies 
• Support public-private collaboration to accelerate deployment 
• Connect innovation policy with industrial, workforce, and security priorities 

2. Strengthen Domestic Manufacturing and Supply Chains 
   U.S. leadership in robotics depends on resilient domestic supply chains and a strong industrial base. Many robotics systems rely on complex global supply chains that pose economic and security risks. 
   Policy solutions should: 

• Incentivize domestic manufacturing of robotics components and systems 
• Use federal procurement to support U.S. and allied suppliers 
• Reduce reliance on foreign adversary-linked supply chains 
• Expand capacity for robotics and automation production in the U.S. 

A strong domestic industrial base ensures the United States can scale robotics technologies securely and competitively. 

3. Expand Adoption Across Commercial and Government Sectors 
   Despite rapid technological advances, robotics adoption remains uneven across the economy. Accelerating adoption will drive productivity, safety, and economic growth. 
   Policymakers should:  

• Remove unnecessary regulatory barriers to deployment 
• Support pilot programs and demonstration projects 
• Encourage adoption in infrastructure, manufacturing, logistics, and defense 
• Ensure regulatory frameworks reflect the realities of physical systems 

4. Invest in Research, Innovation, and Workforce Development 
   Sustained leadership requires long-term investment in people and technology; these investments are critical to maintaining U.S. leadership and building a skilled workforce.
   Federal policy should: 

• Support cutting-edge robotics and embodied AI research 
• Strengthen education, training, and reskilling programs 
• Expand partnerships between industry, academia, and government 
• Connect R&D investments to real-world deployment and manufacturing 

5. Align Robotics Policy with National Security and Global Competition 
   Robotics and embodied AI are increasingly central to national security and strategic competition. Policy must balance innovation with risk management. 
   A coordinated approach should: 

• Integrate robotics strategy with defense and security priorities 
• Address risks related to technology transfer and adversary exploitation 
• Coordinate with allies on standards, interoperability, and supply chains
• Strengthen U.S. leadership without fragmenting global innovation ecosystems