Intel is asking the FCC for a waiver to keep using foreign-made robots in U.S. chip plants

Intel $INTC asked the Federal Communications Commission for a conditional waiver to keep operating foreign-made automated guided vehicles in its U.S. chip plants, according to Bloomberg. The company filed the petition Oct. 16, and it became public on Monday.

Intel fears its vehicles, known as AGVs, could be swept up in the FCC's restrictions on newly introduced advanced robots made abroad, according to Bloomberg. The machines transport materials in semiconductor plants. Intel informed regulators that it is uncertain whether upgrading the machines would breach the rules. It is seeking the waiver "out of an abundance of caution to ensure ongoing operation of these specific AGV units."

Intel said domestic suppliers have no tested option that satisfies its needs, and that switching out the existing fleet would be a multiyear effort. A disruption, the company said, would deliver an "immediate negative impact" to its ability to manufacture in the U.S. Intel called the robots' continued operation "crucial" to national security.

"The routine maintenance Intel proposes to extend the life of the workhorse AGVs will not introduce cybersecurity risks, a key driver of the present restrictions," Intel said, according to Bloomberg.

The AGVs shuttle wafers and other supplies around a fab, and keeping the fleet running means ongoing upkeep that covers firmware and software updates, according to Tom's Hardware.

The FCC added foreign-made advanced robots to its Covered List in July, following a White House-convened interagency determination that such devices pose unacceptable national security risks. Producers of the devices can apply for a conditional approval exemption.

Companies are barred from altering the hardware, or the code and firmware, of products already on the market that are covered by such bans, according to Bloomberg. Businesses can apply for a conditional waiver.

Japan's Murata Machinery and Daifuku are major suppliers of AGVs, according to Bloomberg, while rivals in South Korea and Taiwan are working to gain a foothold.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Micron $MU Technology, GlobalFoundries, Samsung Electronics and Texas Instruments $TXN run fabs of their own as well and might have to seek similar waivers, according to Bloomberg.

Netgear won clearance in April to sell its routers, a waiver granted once the Department of Defense concluded the devices carried no national security threat, according to Bloomberg.

Intel stock closed up 2.4% on Monday.