Cheaper humanoids, new US drone tariffs and FCC limits on new foreign-made robots are changing what buyers pay. Track each shift here, then compare landed prices on The Humanoid Group.
25% tariff on drones up to 25 kg imported into the US, from September 2026 (The White House, 2026)
Roborock brings new robot vacuums, a lawn mower and a pool robot to IFA 2026
· Launch
At IFA 2026, Roborock showed new Saros 20 robot vacuums, the Saros Rover with adjustable legs, a RockAqua P1 pool-cleaning robot and a RockNeo Q2 LiDAR lawn mower. The Saros 20 Neo went on sale in the UK on September 4 at £999, with a £799 launch offer running to September 20. Other prices follow later.
Why it matters: Launch offers can take a fifth off a flagship vacuum within days of release. Compare the dock, mop system and running costs, not just the sticker price, when weighing new models against last year's.
US sets tariffs of 25% to 100% on imported drones and key drone parts
· Policy
A presidential proclamation under Section 232 placed a 25% duty on imported drones of 25 kg or less and 100% on heavier drones, thermal imaging systems, docking stations and listed critical parts from September 3, 2026. More components face 25% from February 2027, with lower caps for qualifying drones from partners such as the EU, Japan and the UK.
Why it matters: What a US buyer pays for a spray, mapping or inspection drone now depends heavily on where it was made. A landed, duty-paid quote from The Humanoid Group shows the full cost before you commit.
North American robot orders rise 21% in value in Q2 as buying spreads across industries
· Market
A3 counted 8,940 robots ordered in North America in Q2 2026, worth $622 million, up 4.3% in units and 21.3% in value. First-half orders reached 17,995 robots. Semiconductor and electronics buyers grew 35% and life sciences 32%, while automotive OEM orders fell 25%; non-automotive buyers took 56% of Q2 units.
Why it matters: Robot spending is moving beyond carmakers into electronics, pharma and food plants. Buyers in those sectors now have peers to learn from, so ask vendors for comparable installs when scoping an order.