Robotics has moved far beyond factory assembly lines. Fueled by advances in artificial intelligence, the industry now spans warehouse automation, surgical systems, autonomous vehicles and even humanoid robots designed to work alongside people. But with valuations running high and competition intensifying, investing in robotics stocks requires careful research.
What is robotics?
Robotics is the design, engineering and deployment of machines that can sense their environment and perform tasks with varying degrees of autonomy. The field draws on mechanical engineering, computer science, artificial intelligence and sensor technology. According to GlobalData, the global robotics market was valued at roughly $90 billion in 2024 and is forecast to reach $205 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual rate of about 15%.
Modern robotics companies generally fall into a few broad categories:
Industrial automation. Companies that design and build robotic arms, cobots (collaborative robots) and automated production lines for manufacturing, logistics and agriculture.
AI and robot intelligence. Firms developing the software, vision systems, sensors and machine learning models that make robots smarter and more autonomous.
Surgical and healthcare robotics. Companies building robotic systems for minimally invasive surgery, rehabilitation and hospital logistics.
Warehouse and logistics robotics. Firms creating automated storage, retrieval and delivery systems for e-commerce fulfillment and supply chain operations.
Humanoid and service robots. An emerging category of companies developing general-purpose robots designed to perform tasks in human environments.
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One of the world’s largest makers of industrial robots and cobots, serving automotive, electronics and logistics sectors across more than 50 countries.
Builds AI-powered robotic warehouse automation systems. Major customers include Walmart and other large retailers. Reported $630 million in Q1 FY2026 revenue.
Develops the ExcelsiusGPS robotic navigation platform for spinal and orthopedic surgery, combining imaging, planning and robotic guidance in one system.
Additional robotics stocks to research
Beyond the companies above, several other publicly traded firms have meaningful robotics exposure:
Serve Robotics (SERV). Builds autonomous sidewalk delivery robots deployed in partnership with Uber Eats. A pure-play on last-mile delivery robotics.
AeroVironment (AVAV). Designs small unmanned aircraft systems and loitering munitions for military applications, combining robotics with defense technology.
Trimble (TRMB). Provides GPS positioning and automation systems for construction and agriculture, including machine control for excavators and graders.
Zebra Technologies (ZBRA). Makes warehouse automation hardware including autonomous mobile robots, machine vision cameras and RFID systems for logistics.
UiPath (PATH). A leader in robotic process automation (RPA) software that automates digital tasks, connecting software “robots” to physical automation workflows.
The AI-robotics convergence
The biggest shift in robotics since 2020 has been the convergence of artificial intelligence and physical machines. Modern robots increasingly use large AI models to interpret their surroundings, plan tasks and adapt on the fly, rather than following rigid pre-programmed routines.
This convergence is playing out across several fronts. In warehouses, AI-powered systems coordinate fleets of autonomous mobile robots to sort, pick and pack orders at speeds that human workers can’t sustain around the clock. In surgery, AI-assisted robotic platforms are expanding the range of procedures that can be performed with minimal incisions. And in manufacturing, cobots that learn from demonstration rather than hard-coded instructions are making robotic automation accessible to smaller companies that couldn’t afford traditional industrial robots.
The most speculative corner of this trend is humanoid robotics. Companies like Tesla, Figure AI and Apptronik are racing to build general-purpose robots that can navigate human environments and perform a range of tasks. MarketsandMarkets projects the humanoid robot market could grow from roughly $2 billion in 2024 to $18 billion by 2030, though commercial deployments at scale remain limited and the category carries significant execution risk.
International robotics companies
Several major robotics companies are headquartered outside the US. Most trade on their home exchanges but are also available as ADRs (American Depositary Receipts) on US OTC markets. To trade shares directly on international exchanges, you’ll need a brokerage that offers international share trading. Not all platforms offer this — beginner-friendly brokerages like Robinhood and J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing focus on US exchanges, so you may need to compare international brokerage options.
Fanuc (OTC: FANUY). Japan-based maker of industrial robots, CNC systems and factory automation equipment. One of the “big four” industrial robot manufacturers.
Yaskawa Electric (OTC: YASKY). Japanese industrial robotics and motion control company, another member of the global industrial robot top tier.
Siemens (OTC: SIEGY). German industrial conglomerate with major automation and digitalization divisions that serve manufacturing robotics.
Daifuku (OTC: DFKCY). Japanese company that is the world’s largest maker of material handling and logistics automation systems.
KION Group (OTC: KIGRY). German maker of forklifts and warehouse automation systems, including the Dematic brand of supply chain robotics.
Robotics and AI ETFs
If you’d prefer diversified exposure rather than picking individual stocks, several ETFs focus on the robotics and AI theme. Most blend robotics hardware companies with AI software and semiconductor firms.
Global X Robotics & Artificial Intelligence ETF (BOTZ). The largest robotics-focused ETF by assets under management at roughly $3.5 billion. Tracks companies involved in industrial robotics, automation, non-industrial robots and autonomous vehicles, with significant exposure to Japanese companies.
ROBO Global Robotics and Automation Index ETF (ROBO). Uses an equal-weight strategy that spreads risk across small- and mid-cap robotics companies, avoiding the concentration risk of market-cap-weighted funds.
First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence and Robotics ETF (ROBT). Tracks the Nasdaq CTA Artificial Intelligence and Robotics index, holding about 110 stocks across AI and robotics sectors.
ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF (ARKQ). An actively managed fund from ARK Invest that targets companies in autonomous vehicles, robotics, 3D printing and energy storage.
iShares Future AI & Tech ETF (ARTY). Formerly the iShares Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ETF (IRBO), this fund rebranded in 2024 and now tracks the Morningstar Global Artificial Intelligence Select Index.
VanEck Robotics ETF (IBOT). A newer entrant tracking companies across the robotics value chain globally.
Direxion Daily Robotics, AI & Automation Index Bull 2X Shares (UBOT). A leveraged ETF that seeks 2x daily returns of a robotics and AI index. Designed for short-term trading, not long-term holding.
Why invest in robotics stocks?
Several structural forces are driving long-term growth in robotics, making it one of the more compelling technology investment themes.
Labor shortages are accelerating adoption. Aging populations in developed economies, combined with a shrinking pool of workers willing to take repetitive or physically demanding jobs, are pushing companies toward automation. The International Federation of Robotics reported that global robot installations have grown steadily, with warehouse and logistics deployments growing especially fast.
AI is expanding what robots can do. Earlier generations of industrial robots performed a narrow set of pre-programmed tasks. Modern robots equipped with AI vision and language models can handle a wider range of situations, which opens up entirely new markets, from food preparation to eldercare to retail inventory management.
The reshoring trend creates demand. As more companies move manufacturing back to the US and Europe in response to tariff policies and supply chain resilience goals, they’re investing heavily in automation to keep production costs competitive without relying on low-cost overseas labor.
And for investors, robotics stocks offer the opportunity to back technologies with visible, tangible applications. Unlike some areas of tech investing where the product is abstract, robots in surgery suites, warehouses and farm fields are delivering measurable productivity gains today.
Risks of investing in robotics
Robotics stocks carry several risks that investors should weigh carefully.
High valuations. Many robotics and AI stocks trade at premium multiples, reflecting optimism about future growth that may take years to materialize. If growth disappoints even slightly, these stocks can sell off sharply.
Competition and consolidation. The robotics market attracts both well-funded incumbents and nimble startups, making it difficult for any single company to maintain a lasting competitive edge. Chinese robotics firms, in particular, have emerged as aggressive competitors in consumer, warehouse and industrial segments, offering comparable technology at significantly lower price points.
Hype versus reality in humanoid robotics. While companies like Tesla and Figure AI have generated enormous investor interest with humanoid robot prototypes, commercial deployments at meaningful scale remain limited. The gap between impressive demos and reliable, cost-effective production could take years to close.
Tariff and trade exposure. Many robotics companies rely on global supply chains for components like sensors, motors and semiconductors. Trade restrictions and tariffs can increase costs and disrupt production timelines.
Regulatory uncertainty. Autonomous robots operating in public spaces, from delivery bots on sidewalks to surgical robots in hospitals, face evolving regulatory frameworks that could slow adoption in certain markets.
Bottom line
Robotics is no longer a niche sector. The convergence of AI and physical automation is creating investment opportunities across industries, from surgical suites to warehouse floors to farm fields. But the industry’s rapid growth has also pushed valuations higher and attracted intense competition. Consider spreading your exposure across several companies or using a robotics-focused ETF, and compare platform options before you open an account.
Frequently asked questions
Some do. Among the stocks listed above, ABB, Deere & Company and Rockwell Automation pay regular dividends. However, many pure-play robotics companies reinvest earnings into R&D and growth rather than paying dividends, so income-focused investors may want to pair robotics holdings with dividend-paying stocks elsewhere in their portfolio.
Industrial robots are large, powerful machines typically used behind safety cages on factory floors. Cobots (collaborative robots) are designed to work safely alongside human workers without physical barriers. Cobots tend to be smaller, more affordable and easier to program, which makes them accessible to smaller manufacturers. Teradyne's Universal Robots division is the global leader in cobots.
Humanoid robotics is one of the fastest-growing segments of the robotics market by projected growth rate, but it's also one of the most speculative. Most humanoid robot companies are either private (like Figure AI and Apptronik) or are divisions of larger public companies (like Tesla's Optimus program). Investors interested in this theme should be prepared for high volatility and uncertain timelines for commercial adoption.
Many international robotics companies like Fanuc and Yaskawa trade as ADRs (American Depositary Receipts) on US OTC markets, which you can buy through most standard brokerage accounts. To trade shares directly on foreign exchanges like the Tokyo Stock Exchange or Frankfurt Stock Exchange, you'll need a brokerage that offers international share trading.
Several companies that previously appeared on this page are no longer investable. FLIR Systems was acquired by Teledyne Technologies for $8.2 billion in May 2021. iRobot filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in December 2025 and existing shareholders were wiped out. Brooks Automation renamed itself Azenta (AZTA) in 2021 and sold its robotics business to become a life sciences company. Kuka was taken private by China's Midea Group in 2022 and delisted from the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.
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Shannon Terrell is a lead writer and spokesperson at NerdWallet and a former editor at Finder, specializing in personal finance. Her writing and analysis on investing and banking has been featured in Bloomberg, Global News, Yahoo Finance, GoBankingRates and Black Enterprise. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and English literature from the University of Toronto Mississauga.
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