While the official agenda of Boston’s annual Robotics Summit focused on cutting-edge technology and the promise of autonomous machines, an underlying issue loomed large: tariffs. Despite being told to avoid the topic during keynote Q&As, industry insiders couldn’t ignore the growing uncertainty surrounding global trade tensions — particularly those involving the United States and China. With robots relying heavily on globally sourced components such as semiconductors, rare earth magnets, and precision sensors, tariffs have become an inescapable part of the conversation.
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Several companies at the summit acknowledged the challenges these trade barriers present, while also recognising new opportunities. Pras Velagapudi of Agility Robotics highlighted that although tariffs have disrupted supply chains, they are also driving demand for domestic robotics manufacturing. This shift was echoed by Schaeffler’s Al Makke, who noted that rising labour costs and labour shortages in the U.S. are likely to accelerate automation — with humanoid robots potentially playing a major role in the reshoring of production.
Meanwhile, the summit featured a range of robots, from Boston Dynamics’ Spot to the G1 humanoid developed by China’s Unitree. The G1, although drawing curiosity for its agility and interaction, is unlikely to be adopted for industrial use soon. Tariffs would more than double its cost for U.S. buyers, making it difficult to justify outside academic or social media settings. Still, Unitree remains optimistic about long-term demand across various sectors, including manufacturing and even domestic applications.
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Outside the spotlight, many exhibitors spoke frankly about the complexities of global supply chains and the pressure tariffs are placing on innovation. Haitham Eletrabi of Tennibot, whose robot serves up balls on a pickleball court, underscored the scale of the issue — from screws and wheels to injection-moulded components, many sourced from across the globe. As interest in robotics grows, the future of the industry may hinge as much on trade policy as it does on engineering breakthroughs.
