• The administration is drafting a new executive order focused on robotics policy, with a potential release in 2026.
  • The move follows a series of AI-focused executive orders signed in 2025 and aims to address perceived regulatory hurdles.
  • Details remain fluid, but the order is expected to prioritize industrial and defense applications while streamlining federal procurement.

Drafting a Framework for Robotics

Senior officials within the Trump administration are actively drafting a new executive order focused on robotics policy, with a target for release next year, according to people familiar with the matter. This initiative, first reported by Politico, would build upon the flurry of AI-focused directives signed in 2025, including the Genesis Mission order for scientific AI and measures to prevent "woke" AI in federal procurement.

The effort, still in its early stages, reflects a push to extend the administration's tech policy beyond artificial intelligence to the physical systems that interact with the world. While the exact contours are not yet finalized, discussions have centered on creating a more favorable regulatory environment for robotics development and deployment, particularly in manufacturing, logistics, and national security sectors. One person briefed on the discussions described it as an attempt to "remove sand from the gears" of innovation.

Building on the AI Agenda

This planned order appears to be a logical next step following the administration's recent focus on AI. The draft order circulating as of late November, titled "Eliminating State Law Obstruction of National AI Policy," signals a clear intent to assert federal primacy in tech regulation. The robotics directive is expected to follow a similar playbook, aiming to preempt conflicting state rules and establish uniform federal standards to accelerate adoption.

A key area of focus is likely to be federal procurement, mirroring the approach taken with AI. The administration is said to be examining how to direct agencies to prioritize American-made robotics and automation technologies. "The thinking is that if you can create a clear demand signal from the largest buyer in the world—the U.S. government—you can catalyze the entire industry," said a source with knowledge of the deliberations.

Industry and Implementation Hurdles

Reaction from the tech and manufacturing sectors has been cautiously optimistic but mixed. Proponents argue that a coherent national strategy is long overdue and could help the U.S. compete more aggressively with China and other nations investing heavily in automation. However, some industry representatives have privately expressed concern about the practicality of a one-size-fits-all federal order for a field as diverse as robotics, which spans everything from surgical assistants to warehouse forklifts.

Implementation also poses a significant challenge. The order would need to navigate a complex web of existing regulations from agencies like the FDA (for medical devices), the FAA (for drones), and OSHA (for workplace safety). Efforts to streamline or override these frameworks could lead to legal and bureaucratic friction. A spokesperson for the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the specifics of the planned order.

Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated the title of a previously drafted AI order. It is "Eliminating State Law Obstruction of National AI Policy."