A robotics ETF is a fund that owns a basket of companies building robots and automation. Instead of picking one robot maker, you buy a single ticker and get exposure to dozens of companies across the supply chain.
What is inside a robotics ETF
Most robotics funds mix several groups of companies:
- Robot makers: industrial robot arms, collaborative robots, surgical robots and warehouse robots.
- Components: actuators, reducers, motors, bearings, sensors and machine vision.
- Brains: AI chips, simulation software and industrial software that plan and control robots.
- Users and integrators: companies that design automated factories and logistics systems.
The main types
We sort the 25 funds we track into categories. Core robotics funds like $BOTZ and $ROBO cover automation broadly. Humanoid funds like $KOID focus on robots in human form and their parts (7 on our list). AI and robotics funds like $AIQ pair robotics with broad AI. Autonomy and drone funds cover robotaxis and unmanned aircraft. And a leveraged fund, $UBOT, seeks 2X the daily move of a robotics index.
What it costs
The average expense ratio across our list is 0.67%. The cheapest is $BOTT at 0.35% a year. On a $10,000 investment, the difference between a 0.35% fund and a 0.95% fund is about $60 a year.
Five things to check before buying
- Purity: how much of the fund is truly robotics versus general tech.
- Concentration: how much sits in the top 10 holdings.
- Geography: many robotics leaders are in Japan, China, Korea and Europe, which adds currency and country risk.
- Size and trading: small funds can have wide spreads and may close.
- Fees: fees compound against you every year.
Ready to compare? See the full robotics ETF table or the ranked guide. Nothing here is a recommendation to buy or sell.
Frequently asked questions
What do robotics ETFs invest in?
Companies that build robots and automation: industrial robot makers, motion control and sensor suppliers, surgical robotics, warehouse automation, humanoid robot developers and the chips and software behind them.
Are robotics ETFs the same as AI ETFs?
No, but they overlap. AI ETFs focus on chips, cloud and software. Robotics ETFs focus on machines that move. Many hold the same AI chip makers.
How much do robotics ETFs cost?
Expense ratios on our list range from about 0.35% to over 1% a year, with leveraged funds at the high end.
Do robotics ETFs pay dividends?
Most pay small dividends, often under 1% a year, once or twice a year.
RobotETFs.com is published by Dividend Empire LLC for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute investment, financial, tax or legal advice. Nothing here is a buy or sell signal. Fund data comes from our own data sheet and issuer materials, is refreshed daily and can be delayed, incomplete or incorrect. Always verify against the issuer's website and prospectus, do your own research and consult a licensed financial professional. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. Leveraged ETFs reset daily and are not suitable for most long-term investors. Price charts are provided by TradingView and may be delayed.