U.S. Robotics Industry Presses Congress for National Strategy

Jeff Burnstein, president of the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), is calling for an urgent national robotics strategy to restore U.S. global leadership in industrial robotics and automation. Representing over 1,300 member companies, A3 presented a vision to the U.S. Congress in March 2025 outlining six policy priorities, including establishing a central Robotics Office, a Robotics Commission, and tax incentives for AI-enabled automation.

Although the U.S. created the world's first industrial robot, Unimate, in 1956, it has allowed countries like Japan and China to surge ahead with their own national robotics strategies. In May 2026, two new coalitions mobilized to close this gap: Robots for America (RFA) launched on May 8 at the SCSP AI+ Expo in Washington, D.C., formed at the direct request of officials from the Office of Science and Technology Policy, the Department of Commerce, the Small Business Administration, and the U.S. Senate. RFA's initial policy framework targets five areas where federal action can drive near-term impact: lowering the financial risk of robotic trials, modernizing how automation is treated under the tax code, streamlining permitting and regulatory approvals, building the workforce needed to support deployment, and enabling autonomous logistics across the supply chain.

Support is also growing on Capitol Hill: Rep. Jay Obernolte introduced the National Commission on Robotics Act in February 2026, which would establish a commission of 18 experts tasked with evaluating and driving U.S. leadership in robotics. AUVSI launched the bipartisan Partnership for Robotics Competitiveness (PfRC), an initiative to advance federal policy and a National Robotics Strategy. Burnstein emphasizes, "Physical AI has the potential to transform every industry," adding, "No country can win the AI race without also leading in robotics."

Industry representatives note that labor availability is shrinking, operating costs are rising, and global competitors have spent decades building coordinated national strategies around automation and industrial production, while U.S. manufacturers have largely been left to navigate the landscape on their own. Burnstein argues that incentives such as tax credits and accelerated depreciation, rather than tariffs, are the best approach to driving U.S. robotics adoption. The question remains: Is it too late for America to regain its leadership in robotics? Burnstein's answer is clear: "No, but we need to act now."

Note: This summary draws on SupplyChainBrain's publicly visible headline + subhead + opening paragraph and on sector background on national robotics strategy.

Key Takeaways:
1. A3 president Jeff Burnstein calls for a national strategy to restore U.S. robotics leadership
2. Robots for America coalition launched May 8, 2026, in Washington at federal government request
3. A3 presented vision to Congress in March 2025 with central Robotics Office, commission, and tax incentives
4. Rep. Obernolte introduced bill in February 2026 to establish national robotics commission
5. China, Japan, and South Korea have surged ahead with coordinated national strategies