Latest news with #robotics
Globe and Mail
44 minutes ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
The Best Robotics ETF to Invest $100 In Right Now
Key Points Nvidia chief Jensen Huang predicts robotics will be the next $10 trillion industry. One particular fund, led by an investor known for focusing on innovation, could be the best way to benefit. 10 stocks we like better than Ark ETF Trust - Ark Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF › Artificial intelligence (AI) has been a major driver of stock market gains in recent years, and that's likely to continue since we're still in the early stages of this growth story. Analysts predict the AI market will reach into the trillions of dollars -- that will happen in about a decade, illustrating that this is indeed an area with much growth to come. But AI isn't just one simple story. Instead, it has many related technologies that also could generate revenue and share price performance for the companies involved. And one of those areas is robotics. In fact, AI giant Nvidia has spoken extensively of this area. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has even predicted robots will be the next $10 trillion industry, and in a recent interview with CNBC said this decade will be the one of autonomous vehicles and robotics. Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Continue » So now looks like the perfect time to get in on this industry with explosive growth potential, and the good news is you can do so with $100. Let's check out the best robotics ETF to invest in right now. Why you should buy ETFs First, though, let's consider why it's a great idea to opt for an exchange-traded fund (ETF) rather than just picking a couple of robotics stocks. ETFs invest in a large number of stocks according to a particular theme, so by choosing an ETF, you'll gain instant exposure to a broad range of potential winners. This diversification lowers your risk and increases your chances of success. It also means that if you aren't yet an expert in a particular area, you can rely on the fund doing the heavy lifting of choosing the players that may score a big win down the road. Of course, this doesn't mean you shouldn't continue stock picking -- you'll generally see a bigger gain from a winning stock if you hold shares directly than through ETF exposure. But choosing an ETF can be a good alternative if you're not too comfortable with a particular field or if you'd like to add diversification to your portfolio. Stock picking and ETF investing are highly complementary. Now, let's consider this top fund to pick up today, and this is the Ark Autonomous Technology and Robotics ETF (NYSEMKT: ARKQ). The fund is part of the portfolio of famous investor Cathie Wood, founder of Ark Invest and a supporter of innovations that could be considered "disruptive." Cathie Wood's investment strategy The Ark Autonomous Tech and Robotics ETF fits well into Wood's investment strategy, including more than 30 companies involved in various specialty areas under this theme, from intelligent devices to neural networks and next generation cloud technology. Wood believes in identifying innovators early and getting in on every aspect of a particular technology of the future. This top investor and her team have their fingers on the pulse of the most innovative areas within technology, suggesting they are assembling a strong group of potential winners. But you won't have to pay a high price for this expertise: ETFs involve some fees, expressed as an expense ratio, and this fund's remains at a reasonable level -- under 1% -- and that means you can invest without worrying about fees eating into your returns. The fund's biggest holdings -- each with a weight of 10% -- are drone-maker Kratos Defense and Security and electric vehicle giant Tesla. AI-driven software company Palantir Technologies and cloud leader Amazon also are among the top 10 positions in the fund. So, by investing in this ETF, you're gaining broad exposure to many types of companies that could win as autonomous technology and robotics take off. The fund so far has delivered growth to investors, advancing more than 50% over the past year and more than 300% since its inception about a decade ago. Considering that we're still in the very early days of autonomous and robotic technology, though, performance could potentially explode higher as this story evolves, meaning the biggest growth opportunity may be at some point in the future. That's why it's a wise idea to put your $100 into this ETF today and hold on as this exciting growth story develops. Should you invest $1,000 in Ark ETF Trust - Ark Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF right now? Before you buy stock in Ark ETF Trust - Ark Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Ark ETF Trust - Ark Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $680,559!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $1,005,670!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 1,053% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 180% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of July 15, 2025
Forbes
4 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
The Modular Revolution: How Robotics Design Is Shaping Industry 4.0
Jay Shah is a Lead Hardware Engineer at Caldo, specializing in robotics, automation and sustainable food technology. As industries accelerate toward automation, conversations typically center on artificial intelligence, machine learning and the integration of robotics. However, one foundational concept is emerging as a quiet revolution within robotics and manufacturing: robotic modularity. Robotic modularity is the design and development of machines as collections of interchangeable parts, (mechanical, electrical or software) that can be configured or reconfigured to serve new or evolving tasks. Instead of investing in entirely new systems to automate each function, modularity allows businesses to adapt robotic platforms to multiple applications with minimal reengineering. While often overlooked in favor of more headline-grabbing technologies, modular design is rapidly becoming the key to scalable, cost-effective automation, especially in sectors where demand variability and product diversification are common. The Challenge Of Fixed Automation Most traditional robotic systems are fixed-purpose. They're great at what they're designed to do, but only that. A robotic arm designed for spot welding in an automotive assembly line might be of little use when a plant wants to pivot to battery assembly for electric vehicles. The result? Retooling costs, new capital expenditure and downtime slow down responsiveness to market shifts. For small and mid-sized manufacturers, this rigidity is especially problematic. They can't afford custom automation for each product line. Startups, too, face a dilemma: automate early and risk inflexible systems or delay automation and risk scaling too slowly. Modularity solves this dilemma by turning robots into platforms, not products. How Modularity Changes Manufacturing With modular systems, adding a new capability is as simple as adding a new module. Need to package a different kind of ingredient in a food processing plant? Swap out the dispensing module. Need a new tool on the robot to grip delicate objects instead of heavy parts? Change the gripper without changing the whole machine. One compelling general example of modularity is in automated warehouses and fulfillment centers, where mobile robots operate with modular payload bays or adaptable attachment systems. As products shift from light consumer goods to heavier appliances or perishable items, the system can evolve without massive reinvestment in hardware. Many large fulfillment centers globally are adopting this modular thinking, building systems that evolve alongside their product catalogs. Similarly, in manufacturing lines, modularity allows for the quick integration of new processes, such as robotic arms switching between welding, assembly or inspection simply by changing tooling heads. This flexibility reduces downtime between production runs and helps manufacturers handle high-mix, low-volume production without sacrificing efficiency. Mechanical Design Considerations For Modularity For mechanical engineers, designing for modularity demands a complete shift in approach. It's no longer enough to focus on solving one problem with one mechanical system. Instead, engineers need to build with foresight: • Standardized Interfaces: Modular systems require physical and digital interfaces that conform to set standards. These might include universal mounting systems, pneumatic quick-connects or electrical/data ports with plug-and-play functionality. • Design For Assembly/Disassembly (DFMA): Modules should be easy to install, remove and service by operators with minimal specialized training. • Serviceability And Repair: A modular system shouldn't just be easy to adapt—it should also be easier to maintain. Instead of taking a robot offline for days, a module can be replaced on-site in minutes. Mechanical design for modularity often borrows from practices in industries like aerospace, where modular payload bays have been used for decades. Now, that thinking is moving to factory floors. Open-source initiatives are pushing modular design further, especially in research and prototyping environments. One example is OpenROV, an open-source underwater robotics project, where modular payloads and interchangeable components allow users to configure systems for research, photography or environmental monitoring without needing entirely new builds. The Role Of Modularity In Industry 4.0 As the fourth industrial revolution Industry 4.0 continues to evolve, modularity will increasingly intersect with digitalization trends: • Predictive Maintenance: Connected sensors within modules can alert operators when specific parts need maintenance or replacement. • Additive Manufacturing: 3D printing enables custom modules to be produced quickly, reducing reliance on traditional supply chains. • Digital Twins: Virtual simulations of robotic platforms allow engineers to test new module configurations before implementation, drastically reducing trial-and-error time. Even large industrial robotics players are beginning to embrace modularity. For example, companies like ABB Robotics have launched modular cell concepts that enable users to adapt robotic cells for changing production needs. These systems help reduce changeover time and support customized manufacturing environments. Why Modularity Will Define The Next Era Of Manufacturing Robotic modularity isn't just about operational flexibility—it's about future-proofing. Supply chains remain unpredictable. Customer expectations are increasingly dynamic. Sustainability requirements are growing tighter. Companies that build robotic systems as adaptable platforms will be positioned to meet these challenges—not with radical reinvestment but with incremental upgrades. Manufacturers that embrace modularity won't just automate—they'll evolve continuously, efficiently and profitably. The businesses that succeed tomorrow will be the ones that learn how to reconfigure today. 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CNA
8 hours ago
- Business
- CNA
ABB posts record orders on booming US and data centre demand
ZURICH :Swiss engineering group ABB reported on Thursday its highest-ever quarterly order intake, helped by surging demand from the United States and for products used in data centres being built to support artificial intelligence. Orders in the United States, the company's biggest market, jumped 37 per cent in the second quarter, outpacing a 14 per cent rise in the group's orders overall, ABB said. Chief Executive Morten Wierod said the increase was driven by one big order and customers investing in automation and electrification, and was not due to pre-ordering to avoid the fallout of higher tariffs imposed by the United States. "Demand for electricity is going up quickly," Wierod told reporters. "That is being used by data centres, but also a lot of other industries are increasing their electricity consumption." ABB makes around 80 per cent of its products sold in the United States locally, which protects it against tariffs, Wierod said. "There is no point pre-buying because we will not be hit by tariffs," he added. For the three months to the end of June, ABB reported a 9 per cent rise in core operating income to $1.71 billion, beating analyst forecasts of $1.65 billion. Net income of $1.15 billion was better than the $1.12 billion expected by analysts in a company-supplied consensus. Revenue rose 8 per cent to $8.90 billion, ahead of forecasts for $8.72 billion. The company's stock was up 7 per cent in mid-morning trading in Zurich. Only ABB's robotics business was affected by the current trade uncertainty as automotive customers held off on investments while they waited to find out the final level of import duties. But the company's data centre business continued to do well, posting an increase in orders in the range of 10-20 per cent during the quarter, with strong demand expected to continue. U.S. companies announced a series of big-ticket AI and energy investment pledges earlier this week, part of a push by President Donald Trump to maintain the country's edge in the booming technology sector.
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Big E Trust grants power up West Springfield's community programs
WEST SPRINGFIELD ― From robotics to baseball to community meals, 34 local groups are getting a boost from The Big E Trust, an initiative that supports programs making a difference in the community. The grant funding will help the town run events, buy supplies, and support local projects that make it a better place to live. Awardees this year include the West Springfield High School Robotics Team, the Wildcats Youth Baseball League and the Parish Cupboard. The grant committee includes West Springfield resident Mary Powers, CEO and President of the Eastern States Exposition Gene Cassidy, and Mayor William Reichelt, who announced the winners on Wednesday. Reichelt said the grant shows how strong the partnership is between West Springfield and the Eastern States Exposition. 'These grants allow us to invest directly into the heart of our community, supporting incredible programs and organizations that enrich the lives of our residents, from youth development to cultural preservation and critical social services. I am immensely proud of the diverse and impactful projects that will come to life through this funding,' he said. The committee said it looked closely at many applications and chose the ones that best matched the grant's goal of strengthening the community. Applications for the annual funding opened in March and closed in May. Read the original article on MassLive. Solve the daily Crossword
Globe and Mail
20 hours ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Symbotic Announces Date for Reporting Third Quarter Fiscal 2025 Financial Results
WILMINGTON, Mass., July 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Symbotic Inc. (Nasdaq: SYM), a leader in A.I.-enabled robotics technology for the supply chain, today announced it will release third quarter fiscal 2025 financial results after the market close on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. The press release will also be available on the Symbotic Investor Relations website: The company will host a live webcast to discuss its financial results for the quarter at 5:00 p.m. ET on the same date. To listen to the live webcast, register at The webcast will be available for replay on the Symbotic Investor Relations website at: Please direct any questions regarding obtaining access to the webcast to Symbotic Investor Relations at ir@ ABOUT SYMBOTIC Symbotic is an automation technology leader reimagining the supply chain with its end-to-end, A.I.-powered robotic and software platform. Symbotic reinvents the warehouse as a strategic asset for the world's largest retail, wholesale, and food & beverage companies. Applying next-generation technology, high-density storage and machine learning to solve today's complex distribution challenges, Symbotic enables companies to move goods with unmatched speed, agility, accuracy and efficiency. As the backbone of commerce, Symbotic transforms the flow of goods and the economics of the supply chain for its customers. For more information, visit MEDIA CONTACT
