Robotics and automation stocks to watch in 2022

Robotics and automation (R&A) innovation is pushing forward, allowing businesses to provide goods and services more efficiently and often with better margins. Initially, machines take over simple tasks from humans, but as AI progresses, the number and variety of jobs that robots can do will increase.

A World Economic Forum report​ estimates that about 85 million jobs will be lost due to robotics and automation by 2025, although this will be offset by 97 million new jobs related to R&A and AI.

This shows a strong shift toward automation. That means increasing demand for products and services centred around R&A and AI into 2025 and beyond. For those investing in stocks 404, robotics and automation is an industry to watch over the next decade.

Below is a list of companies that produce robots or provide parts to robotics makers. Robotics also includes artificial intelligence, so the list contains AI stocks as well. Most of these companies are considered manufacturing automation stocks, since their products or services aid other companies in automating their manufacturing processes.

Brooks provides automation solutions for the semiconductor and life sciences industries. The semiconductor segment focuses on contamination control and wafer automation. The life sciences segment provides gene sequencing and services, automated cold storage, bar coding, sealing, peeling labels, and capping and removing caps from bottles.

Cognex is focused on machine vision for analysing visual data to improve efficiency. VisionPro is a suite of products used for different visual applications including flowcharting, inspection and parts location, measurement, identification, bar code readers, and more. These products can do the “seeing” or measuring, for example, instead of a human.

Applied Materials provides services and tools that are used by semiconductor and display (TV, monitor, laptop) companies globally. These products include factory automation software as well as many tools that aid in specific processes such as etching, oxidation, electrochemical disposition, and inspection.

Rockwell provides hardware, software and products that help companies automate. Hardware solutions include energy monitoring, distributed control systems, lighting control, motion and motor control, relays, timers, sensors and switches. Software includes the FactoryTalk brand available for design, operations, maintenance, and innovation.

ABB is headquartered in Switzerland and focuses on robotics, heavy equipment, and automation. The Robotics division provides products in machine vision, industrial robots and software, and programmable logic controllers. The process automation division provides AI solutions, electrification systems, and manufacturing control systems.

Teradyne focuses on automated testing equipment. The testing equipment is available for semiconductor, wireless, and system tests. Its products are used in the process of making microchips, smartphones, computers, games, and other products. It also works in industrial automation, which includes robotic arms and controls, and mobile robots.

Based in Ireland, Eaton is a power management company that provides electrical components, hydraulic products, aerospace sensors and parts, vehicle parts, and e-mobility products for electric vehicles. The goal is to provide automated solutions to many industries to improve efficiency.

Fanuc provides robotics internationally to help companies with profitability, efficiency, and quality in manufacturing processes. It offers more than 100 models of robots, as well as the Robodrill and Robonano for precision machining. The company is headquartered in Japan.

Hollysis is a China-based company offering a wide range of services including process automation systems, factory automation, nuclear power control systems, train operation systems, and medical dispensing and experiment automation products.

Blue Prism is based in the UK and is a leader in automation software. This includes cybersecurity robots which are used in government, medical and financial fields. It generates revenue through licensing these and other products. Its market cap is roughly $1.2bn.

Honeywell is a conglomerate, meaning it does many things. This includes automation divisions around the world. It is not a direct play on robotics on automation since the company does do other things including aerospace, building technologies, materials and technology, and safety and productivity, all of which are becoming more automated using Honeywell products.

GE is another multinational conglomerate corporation expanding into robotics. Technologies include robots that work in small, hard-to-get-at areas, and the SupeRSquad which are drones that handle tasks remotely.

Intuitive Surgical is focused on medical robots that improve medical efficiency and aid in surgeries or other medical procedures. These includes the da Vinci surgical system, which is used around the world, the Ion endoluminal system used to detect lung cancer, as well as other tools that aid in grip and cutting, for example.

Stryker focuses on the medical field, providing robots that aid in surgeries, as well as common medical tools such as advanced hospital beds, medical power tools, and stretchers. The Mako SmartRobotics line provides a total solution for surgeons performing total knee, partial knee, or total hip replacement surgeries. The product line models the patient’s anatomy, guides where to cut, and then provides analytics.

This company focuses on consumer robots, such as the Roomba and Braava, which are household robotic vacuums and mops. It also offers Root, which is a robot that helps children learn coding skills. All their products are sold around the world.

The robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence industry is a big one. Before deciding which stocks to invest in, consider learning some investing strategies 404​. Strategies are a guide for how to pick stocks, when to buy them, and when to sell them.

ETFs (exchange-traded funds) 404​ hold a basket of stocks involved in the robotics or automation fields. ETFs are commonly used with passive investing 404​ strategies. Here is a list of some ETFs to watch within these fields: