In the world of investing, a dozen years can feel like a lifetime.
Technologies rise, industries transform, and the way we live, and work evolves faster than ever. That’s why 2025 marks such an exciting milestone: the 12th anniversary of the ROBO Global Robotics & Automation Index ETF (ROBO).
Launched in 2013, ROBO was one of the very first ETFs to give investors diversified exposure to robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence (AI). Today, it proudly stands as Exchange Traded Concepts’ (ETC) oldest fund, managing over $1.22 billion in assets under management (AUM) (as of 10/23/25). That kind of staying power is rare in the ETF universe and it’s a reflection of how central robotics and automation have become in our daily lives.
Powered by Progress for Over a Decade
Think back to 2013. Robotics and AI were often portrayed as futuristic concepts something you might see in a sci-fi film. Fast forward to today, and “the future” has arrived. Robots help surgeons perform minimally invasive procedures. Warehouses hum with autonomous systems moving goods more efficiently than ever. Self-driving technology is reshaping transportation, and AI is woven into everything from the smartphones in our pockets to the software that powers financial markets.
ROBO has been tracking these innovations since the beginning. Its strategy is designed to identify and invest in the pioneers, enablers, and adopters of robotics and automation technology worldwide. By looking beyond borders and industries, ROBO seeks to capture the full spectrum of this global transformation.
Inside the ROBO Ecosystem
The ROBO Global Robotics & Automation Index ETF invests across a wide range of companies pushing the boundaries of what’s possible:
- Robotics & AI: Developers of industrial, service, and collaborative robots, as well as advanced AI platforms.
- Healthcare Innovation: Companies advancing surgical robotics, medical devices, and diagnostic technologies that improve patient care.
- Automation & Manufacturing: Leaders in factory automation, sensors, and systems that make production smarter and safer.
- 3D Printing: Businesses pioneering additive manufacturing and reshaping how products are designed and built.
- Logistics & Automation: Firms innovating in supply chains, e-commerce fulfillment, and autonomous systems.
This diversified approach may help capture opportunities across multiple sectors, reflecting the reality that robotics and automation are no longer niche, they’re everywhere.
Looking to the Next Frontier
After 12 years, ROBO has grown into a $1.1 billion fund (as of 9/10/25), but the journey is far from over. Robotics and automation continue to expand into new industries, from agriculture to retail to environmental sustainability. As these technologies become more embedded in our everyday lives, they create new opportunities for companies and for investors looking to track this powerful trend.
Just like the robots driving innovation forward, ROBO seeks to evolve, adapt, and push into new frontiers.
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ROBO Disclosures:
Carefully consider the Funds’ investment objectives, risk factors, charges and expenses before investing. This and additional information can be found on the Funds' full or summary prospectuses, which may be obtained at www.roboglobaletfs.com. Read the prospectus carefully before investing.
Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. International investments may also involve risk from unfavorable fluctuations in currency values, differences in generally accepted accounting principles, and from economic or political instability. Emerging markets involve heightened risks related to the same factors as well as increased volatility and lower trading volume. Narrowly focused investments and investments in smaller companies typically exhibit higher volatility. There is no guarantee the funds will achieve their stated objective. ROBO and HTEC are diversified. THNQ is non-diversified.
The liquidity of the A-shares market and trading prices of A-shares could be more severely affected than the liquidity and trading prices of other markets because the Chinese government restricts the flow of capital into and out of the A-shares market. The funds may experience losses due to illiquidity of the Chinese securities markets or delay or disruption in execution or settlement of trades.
The risks associated with investments in Robotics and Automation Companies include, but are not limited to, small or limited markets for such securities, changes in business cycles, world economic growth, technological progress, rapid obsolescence, and government regulation. Robotics and Automation Companies, especially smaller, start-up companies, tend to be more volatile than securities of companies that do not rely heavily on technology. Rapid change to technologies that affect a company's products could have a material adverse effect on such company's operating results. Robotics and Automation Companies may rely on a combination of patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade secret laws to establish and protect their proprietary rights in their products and technologies. There can be no assurance that the steps taken by these companies to protect their proprietary rights will be adequate to prevent the misappropriation of their technology or that competitors will not independently develop technologies that are substantially equivalent or superior to such companies' technology.
The risks associated with Artificial Intelligence (AI) Companies include, but are not limited to, small or limited markets, changes in business cycles, world economic growth, technological progress, rapid obsolescence, and government regulation. Rapid change to technologies that affect a company’s products could have a material adverse effect on such company’s operating results. AI Companies also rely heavily on a combination of patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade secret laws to establish and protect their proprietary rights in their products and technologies. There can be no assurance that the steps taken by these companies to protect their proprietary rights will be adequate to prevent the misappropriation of their technology or that competitors will not independently develop technologies that are substantially equivalent or superior to such companies’ technology. AI Companies typically engage in significant amounts of spending on research and development, and there is no guarantee that the products or services produced by these companies will be successful.
The risks associated with Medical Technology Companies include, but are not limited to, small or limited markets for such securities, changes in business cycles, world economic growth, technological progress, rapid obsolescence, and government regulation.
Diversification may not protect against market risk.
Beginning September 2, 2020, market price returns are based on the official closing price of an ETF share or, if the official closing price isn't available, the midpoint between the national best bid and national best offer (“NBBO”) as of the time the ETF calculates current NAV per share. Prior to September 2, 2020, market price returns were based on the midpoint between the Bid and Ask price. NAVs are calculated using prices as of 4:00 PM Eastern Time. The returns shown do not represent the returns you would receive if you traded shares at other times.
The Funds are distributed by SEI Investments Distribution Co. (SIDCO) 1 Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, PA, 19456
Exchange Traded Concepts, LLC (“ETC”) is an SEC Registered Investment Adviser. ETC presently offers two lines of business, the first being the provision of white-label ETF services, that include investment advisory and administrative platform services, and the second is offering its portfolio management services on a stand-alone basis to other advisers managing funds that have a need for a specialized trading sub-adviser familiar with and skilled in trading on behalf of an ETF and other investment vehicles. ETC provides the trust, board, and decades of experience to offer asset managers (hedge, SMAs, mutual) and others an efficient, cost-effective means to leverage the benefits of the ETF wrapper. ETC’s Form ADV can be found here https://adviserinfo.sec.gov/firm/summary/151197
Important Disclosures
Exchange Traded Concepts is an SEC Registered Investment Adviser. The Firm's Form ADV is publicly available and can be found here: https://www.adviserinfo.sec.gov/Firm/151197. ETC may be subject to various conflicts of interest in the provision of its services. Potential conflicts of interest shall be identified in the Firm's Form ADV. The Exchange Traded Funds are referred to as "Funds" for purposes of this document. ETC transacts business in the United States and other jurisdictions where it is properly registered or excluded or exempted from registration requirements. This document does not constitute an offer of services in jurisdictions where ETC does not have the necessary licenses.
No representation is made that any Fund's investment process, objectives, goals or risk management techniques will or are likely to be achieved or be successful or that any Fund or any underlying investment will make any profit or will not sustain losses. The risks of investing in a Fund will not be negated by ETC's Fund services, and no assurance is given that a Fund will not be exposed to risks of significant trading losses.
The information provided herein does not constitute tax, legal or accounting advice. ETC does not provide legal, financial, accounting or tax advice. Clients and prospective Clients, as well as investors and prospective investors in a Fund ("Investors") are advised to seek the counsel of their own legal, financial and tax advisors for all matters relating to the services and structures contemplated herein. Each Investor (either alone or with its professional advisors) is solely responsible for its own due diligence, risk assessment and tolerance, investment objectives, any decision to invest in a Fund, and for monitoring its investment for purposes of determining whether it wishes to remain invested in such product and whether such product continues to be appropriate for its circumstances and requirements.
The information provided herein: (a) is provided as of the date indicated, (b) is in summary only and is not complete, and (c) is subject to change at any time without notice. Certain information provided by ETC is based on third-party sources and, although generally believed to be reliable, has not been independently verified. ETC is not responsible for errors or omissions from these sources. No representation is made with respect to the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of such information, and ETC assumes no obligation to update or otherwise revise such information. In no event will ETC be liable to any party for any direct, indirect, incidental, exemplary, compensatory, punitive, special or consequential damages, costs, expenses, legal fees or losses (including, without limitation, lost income or lost profits and opportunity costs) in connection with the use of the information contained herein, even if advised of the possibility of such damages. ETC and its respective employees and its affiliates hereby exclude, to the extent permitted by applicable law, all liability in connection with the use of the information herein.
Interests in Funds will not be insured by the FDIC, the SIPC or any other organization, will not be deposits of any bank, and are not guaranteed by any bank.