Apr 14, 2025
Betting the Future on Robots! A Deep Dive into the BOTZ ETF (ft. NVIDIA)
Sungwoo Bae
Thematic ETF Series
- Investing in the Future, An In-Depth Look at the TIGER U.S. Philadelphia AI Semiconductor ETF (ft. NVIDIA)
- Betting the Future on Robots! A Deep Dive into the BOTZ ETF (ft. NVIDIA)
- How to Invest in the Real Energy Revolution, Not Just ESG? A Fresh Look at the ICLN ETF (ft. Iberdrola)
- How to Invest in the Giant Computer in the Sky? A Full Dissection of the WCLD ETF (ft. Okta)
"Will robots take over the world?"
Robots that once existed only in movies are rapidly stepping into the real world. With advances in artificial intelligence (AI), the robotics industry is quickly spreading beyond manufacturing into services, healthcare, logistics, and many other fields, drawing intense interest from investors.
The ETF we will look at today is the Global X Robotics & Artificial Intelligence ETF (BOTZ). This ETF invests in companies related to robotics and artificial intelligence, and we will examine its characteristics and key investment considerations in detail, with a particular focus on NVIDIA (NVDA), a leader in AI technology.
What companies does the BOTZ ETF hold?
The Global X Robotics & Artificial Intelligence ETF (BOTZ) aims to invest in global companies involved in the development of robotics and artificial intelligence technologies.
Key characteristics:
- Asset manager: Global X ETFs
- Expense ratio: 0.68% per year
- Listing date: September 12, 2016
- Underlying index: Indxx Global Robotics & Artificial Intelligence Thematic Index
- Investment universe: Industrial robots, collaborative robots, medical robots, AI software, autonomous driving technologies, and other robotics and AI-related companies (globally listed)
- Top holdings (as of April 14, 2025, by weight):
Is the BOTZ ETF a ticket to the age of robots?
The Global X Robotics & Artificial Intelligence ETF (BOTZ) offers an attractive way to gain exposure to the growth of the robotics and AI industries. It stands out for its investments in a range of global leaders, including NVIDIA, which is at the forefront of AI technology; Keyence, Fanuc, and ABB, which dominate the industrial robotics space; and Intuitive Surgical, a pioneer in medical robotics. However, before making an investment decision, it is important to consider the following aspects.
1. The “last mile” challenge in robotics: expanding from controlled environments to the real world: While robotics technology has already achieved a high level of automation in controlled environments such as factories, expanding into the real world—homes, hospitals, construction sites, and other settings full of unpredictability and diverse variables—remains a major challenge. This “last mile” requires highly advanced capabilities in areas such as autonomous navigation in complex environments, manipulation of objects with different shapes and materials, and safe interaction with humans. When analyzing the BOTZ ETF’s portfolio, investors should pay attention to companies developing innovative technologies and solutions that enhance the feasibility of deploying robots in real-world environments.
2. The importance of the Robot Operating System (ROS) and AI software platforms: Just as critical as the hardware is the software that controls robots and enables them to perform a wide range of tasks. For autonomous robots powered by AI in particular, high-performance operating systems and AI software platforms are essential. Some of the BOTZ ETF’s holdings are likely to be companies focused on developing these robotics software platforms, so from an investment perspective, it is important to evaluate not only hardware but also software competitiveness.
3. A complex robotics ecosystem – focus on the ability to integrate components, software, and AI: Advanced robots operate through the seamless integration of many elements, including sensors, actuators, control systems, AI algorithms, and software. When investing in the BOTZ ETF, investors should closely examine not only pure robot manufacturers but also companies with the core technological capabilities to build and integrate these complex systems. Successful robotic solutions depend not just on individual component technologies, but on end-to-end system integration capabilities.
How global markets view robots & AI
Here is how overseas experts view investments in the robotics and AI industries.
Global consulting firm McKinsey & Company describes the robotics and automation market as follows:
"The global robotics and automation market is expected to reach trillions of dollars in the coming decades, transforming industries and creating new opportunities."
suggesting strong growth potential ahead.
However, the investment website The Motley Fool also notes regarding investing in robotics ETFs that
"While the long-term potential of robotics is undeniable, the industry is still evolving, and investors should be prepared for volatility and potential setbacks."
and advises investors to proceed with caution.
The Global X Robotics & Artificial Intelligence ETF (BOTZ) is an attractive vehicle for investing in the future growth industries of robotics and AI. However, alongside high growth expectations, there are also risks to consider, such as the rapid pace of technological change and intensifying competition. Before investing, it is important to develop a deep understanding of the broader robotics and AI industries and to analyze the competitiveness of the individual companies included in the ETF.
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