At a November 18 hearing before the Joint Economic Committee (JEC), the chief executive of Standard Bots delivered a stark warning about the challenges facing U.S. robotics and manufacturing.
Evan Beard argued that without immediate, coordinated action — including public funding and policy reform — the United States risks falling permanently behind foreign competitors, especially China.
Why Standard Bots Is Raising the Alarm
Standard Bots builds AI-powered robotic arms designed and assembled in the U.S., and already supplies to major corporations including Lockheed Martin, Verizon and NASA. But Beard told lawmakers that U.S. firms find themselves at a severe disadvantage: component quotes from U.S. suppliers are often “ten times higher” than those from Chinese suppliers.
As a result, many U.S. manufacturers rely on foreign-made automation — and lack of domestic competitiveness has hindered broader adoption of robotics across American industry. Beard described advanced robotics as “foundational technology … the fastest, most scalable way to rebuild competitively and bring back jobs.”
A Four‑Part Plan for American Robotics Leadership
In his testimony, Beard laid out a structured roadmap for U.S. policy and industrial investment:
- Establish a nationwide network of “Manufacturing Excellence Centers,” modeled loosely on the existing MEP program, to provide shared infrastructure, training, and advanced manufacturing equipment.
- Create a federal manufacturing loan program to help companies afford advanced equipment, scale production, and expand capacity.
- Invest in workforce development by expanding apprenticeships and partnerships with community colleges to close the talent gap in robotics and automation.
- Address economic disparities with foreign competitors — including China — through measures such as tariffs or import restrictions on foreign robots, to ensure a level playing field.
Context: A Global Race for Robotics Dominance
The issue comes as global industrial automation — especially in China — accelerates. Many analysts say Beijing’s state-supported robotics push is giving Chinese firms a rapid cost and scale advantage.
Without major reforms, U.S. manufacturers risk relying heavily on foreign-made robotics, losing both jobs and industrial sovereignty. For companies like Standard Bots, the call for a national robotics strategy is not hypothetical — it’s urgent.
Takeaway: The Window to Act Is Narrow
For U.S. leaders and manufacturing stakeholders, the hearing spotlighted a critical question: will the U.S. commit resources to reclaiming automation and robotics — or watch global competitors cement their lead?
