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RBOT (iShares Automation & Robotics): ETF Review — Holdings, TER and Who It's For
Key takeaways
- RBOT tracks the iSTOXX FactSet Automation and Robotics Index — over 170 companies from automation worldwide.
- Broader scope than ROBO: includes AI software and medical robotics alongside industrial automation.
- The approximate TER is around 0.40% per year — lower than ROBO; always verify the exact figure on justETF.
- A thematic fund with elevated risk: sensitive to the industrial cycle, interest rates, and geopolitics (Chinese supply chains).
- Exclusively a satellite position — for investors convinced of the automation megatrend with a 10+ year horizon.
RBOT is iShares' modernised answer to investor interest in automation and robotics — broader scope, lower costs, and greater diversification than older rivals. The fund tracks the iSTOXX FactSet Automation and Robotics Index and holds over 170 companies from around the world. Unlike ROBO, it uses market capitalisation as its weighting factor, meaning larger companies have greater influence on fund performance.
What the iSTOXX FactSet Automation and Robotics Index tracks
The index covers four subsectors: industrial automation and robotics, artificial intelligence and machine learning, medical robotics, and logistics automation. This broader definition is the key difference from ROBO — RBOT has greater AI and software exposure. Geographically, the US dominates (approximately 50%), followed by Japan and Europe. Chinese companies are typically excluded or minimally represented due to geopolitical and regulatory risks.
Costs and fund structure
The approximate TER is around 0.40% per year — significantly lower than ROBO (~0.80%) and in line with other thematic ETFs. RBOT is an Irish accumulating UCITS ETF traded in euros and USD. The market-cap weighting means the top 10 holdings typically account for around 20–25% of the fund.
RBOT vs. ROBO — key differences
- TER: RBOT ~0.40% vs. ROBO ~0.80% — RBOT is significantly cheaper.
- Weighting: RBOT market cap, ROBO equal weight — different diversification approaches.
- Scope: RBOT includes AI software, ROBO is more industrially focused.
- Number of holdings: RBOT 170+, ROBO ~80 — RBOT is more diversified.
Risks and suitability
Automation and robotics are cyclical themes — industrial investment declines in recessions. Dependence on global supply chains (Asia, particularly Japan and Taiwan for semiconductors) introduces geopolitical risk. RBOT is suitable exclusively as a satellite with a 10+ year horizon alongside a global core ETF. Read about how to build your first portfolio and compare with ROBO ETF to decide which fund better matches your investment thesis.
FAQ
Is RBOT a better choice than ROBO?
It depends on priorities. RBOT is cheaper and broader (includes AI), while ROBO is a pure-play industrial robotics fund with equal-weight methodology. If you want lower costs and AI exposure, choose RBOT. If you prefer equal diversification without the dominance of large-caps, choose ROBO.
How large is the overlap between RBOT and a global ETF?
Relatively small — a global ETF such as MSCI World holds robotics companies, but at their market weight, which is typically below 5% of the entire fund. RBOT provides 100% thematic exposure, which is intentional added concentration.
Does RBOT contain Chinese companies?
Typically very few or none. RBOT's index methodology generally favours companies from developed markets. Chinese exposure is limited by geopolitical risks and regulatory uncertainty — for direct Chinese robotics, there are specialised EM ETFs.