Two ETFs for the robotics revolution

Article Excerpt

The growing commercial use of robots and computers with sophisticated learning and problem-solving skills will change manufacturing and service sectors over the next decade (see supplement page 9). Here is a look at two exchange-traded funds that provide easy access to those companies now leading the development of robotics, artificial intelligence and automation. ROBO GLOBAL ROBOTICS AND AUTOMATION INDEX ETF $40 (Nasdaq symbol ROBO; TSINetwork ETF Rating: Aggressive; Market cap: $1.9 billion) invests in companies that use extensive robotic and automation technologies in their manufacturing processes or are directly involved in making and distributing those robotics as well as artificial intelligence and automation systems. Examples of those products include unmanned vehicles, 3-dimensional printing, and medical robots. • Demand for robotics and automation will rise as falling birth rates shrink the labour pool • Robots have the potential to cut labour costs by 90% • The value of assets held in these two ETFs have soared over 1,000% in past year The fund invests globally: Japan…