It also reaches into people’s homes by covering robot vacuums, too. The Federal Communications Commission today confirmed to PCMag that the newly announced ban, which stems from a White House order, covers both robot vacuums and robot lawn mowers. Many robot vacuums are well over 5 or 10 pounds, especially when the dock is included. (Credit: FCC.gov)Other requirements include a sensor capable of perceiving its surroundings, wireless connectivity, and local software installed — all features that robot vacuums have. Still, the ban threatens to block any new Chinese robot vacuums from reaching the US.