San Mateo County's Board of Supervisors voted 4-0 to require permits for businesses deploying AI-controlled robots in commercial settings, establishing what county officials said is the first such permitting system in the country.
Supervisor Ray Mueller introduced the ordinance, saying it addresses battery fires and public safety risks from the technology, as well as potential impacts on workers.
"This model ordinance addresses the reasonably foreseeable impact of humanoid robots entering commercial workspaces. The ordinance addresses both fire and first responder safety concerns, as well as providing worker protections for those displaced by this emerging technology," Mueller said.
The ordinance applies to businesses in unincorporated San Mateo County and does not prohibit the use of AI-controlled robots.
Mueller acknowledged that county-level regulation cannot certify the safety of the AI systems powering the robots. He called on federal and state partners to develop safety certification requirements.
The ordinance is expected to be refined over time as the technology evolves.