WSJM: Walberg seeks investigation of robotics-related work tied to Dowagiac data center
Congressman Tim Walberg is seeking federal action to head off what he believes could be the national security implications of developments planned at an already-controversial data center in Dowagiac.
Walberg this week sent a letter to U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick urging the Department of Commerce to investigate the potential risks of Hypserscale Data assembling humanoid robots made with components from China and then using them at the Dowagiac facility. He says Hyperscale is working with AGIBOT out of Shanghai to import humanoid robotics components and control software, assemble them, operate them, and eventually sell them to other U.S. companies under the brand, Omnipresent Robotics.
Walberg told us all of this is a concern.
“Foreign humanoid robot technology like the AGIBOT components that Hyperscale Data in Dowagiac is planning on using really could pose significant risks to U.S. companies, infrastructure, and even our national security,” Walberg said.
Walberg says Hyperscale Data plans to import, assemble, and field a fleet of 143 robots, at least some of which will be used at its Dowagiac data center. He says the U.S. Department of Commerce has the authority to investigate such cases, and if needed, take action.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission this week announced it’s banning imports of new foreign-made humanoid robots and power inverters, citing national security risks, in a move that targets China.
Walberg notes he’s a co-sponsor of the GUARD Act, which would mandate that any components, communications equipment, or software used in humanoid robots coming from a foreign country of concern be added to the Department of Commerce or Federal Communications Commission’s covered entity list.