Sens. Dave McCormick, John Hickenlooper introduce national robotics commission

Chloe Jad, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Jun 4, 2026

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Robotics are taking center stage in discussions of national security, which is why U.S. Senators Dave McCormick, R-Pa., and John Hickenlooper, D-Co., introduced a bipartisan National Commission on Robotics Act on Thursday.

Whether the robots that end up on factory floors, folding laundry in homes or fighting wars are U.S.-manufactured robots or foreign-made is essentially the issue at play.

“The Commission on American Leadership in Robotics will bring together leading experts to help ensure the United States maintains its technological edge over our adversaries and builds the workforce needed to succeed in a technology-driven future,” McCormick said in a Thursday release.

With a lifespan of two years, the act would stand up an independent commission focused on evaluating the nation’s competitiveness in robotics (within one year) and then recommend tangible policies that can strengthen U.S. robotics leadership (within two years).

“Pennsylvania, and Pittsburgh especially, is an incredible hub of robotics talent and demonstrates that American leadership in robotics creates high-paying jobs, strengthens domestic supply chains, and drives long-term growth,” McCormick said.

Despite the region’s strength in innovation — from groundbreaking robotics research at Carnegie Mellon University to Gecko Robotics’ inspecting robots and Agility Robotics’ warehouse-working humanoids — McCormick and Hickenlooper said “America’s dependence on foreign-manufactured robotics technology raises urgent questions about supply chain security, economic competitiveness, national defense, and workforce development.”

“Pittsburgh has been at the forefront of robotics innovation for decades, which is why Agility has made a meaningful investment in its footprint there,” Agility CEO Peggy Johnson said in the release. Agility is based in Salem, Ore. with its Pittsburgh hub in Lawrenceville’s “Robotics Row.”

Part of the commission’s mission is to determine whether it “has the appropriate means and methods to assert and maintain” an edge in industrial, retail and commercial sectors.

But catching up to China is a tough feat, given the global robotics leader installed more than 295,000 industrial robots in 2024, while the U.S. installed 34,200 robots, according to a 2025 report by International Federation of Robotics.

The commission is also tasked with identifying partnerships across industry, public and academic sectors to bolster economic and manufacturing competitiveness, recruit talent and examine supply chain risks and policies for domestic manufacturing.

“Advancements in robotics are rapidly changing how we live and work. If America is going to lead the future, we need a better understanding of the opportunities and challenges ahead — from supply chains and national security to workforce development,” Hickenlooper said. “...This legislation will help ensure we harness these technologies in ways that build opportunity, strengthen our economy, and minimize the unintended consequences.”

Farnam Jahanian, president of CMU, emphasized the need to “ensure the benefits of robotics are broadly shared across society.

“Robotics is poised to be one of the defining technologies of the 21st century, with profound implications for economic growth, national security and societal well-being,” Jahanian said. “At a time of increasing global competition, the United States must take an ambitious and deliberate approach to maintaining its leadership in this critical field.”

Audrey Russo, president and CEO of the Pittsburgh Technology Council, also applauded the commission and its objectives.

“America’s robotics leadership will be built on strong research institutions, a skilled workforce, resilient supply chains, and bold entrepreneurs going after big problems,” she said. “This commission is exactly the kind of federal commitment our industry needs.”

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