Why ordinary investors struggle to buy into the robotics boom

Billy Odell Tucker-Robinson Founder & Host — Banking With Billy Network • Intelligence Network • Data Science • AI Research • World News
Published: 2026-10-05T06:48:31.432Z • Permanent link

Tesla's Elon Musk has been one of the most vocal proponents of the robotics boom, touting its potential to revolutionize industries and create millions of new jobs. However, behind the scenes, companies like Boston Dynamics, SoftBank Robotics, and Hyundai Motor Group have been quietly building their own robotic armies. In 2019, a consortium of leading robotics firms, including Toyota, Honda, and Hyundai, formed the Partners for New York City initiative, aimed at developing robots to aid in disaster response and recovery efforts. These efforts have garnered significant attention from policymakers, who see the potential for robots to improve emergency response times and reduce casualties.

Meanwhile, researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have been working on developing more advanced robotic systems, including the Boston Dynamics Atlas robot, which boasts a top speed of 28 km/h. However, these advancements have been hindered by the lack of investment in robotics research and development. According to a report by the International Federation of Robotics, the global robotics market was valued at over $140 billion in 2020, but this number is expected to grow to over $300 billion by 2025. Despite this growth, many investors remain skeptical about the viability of robotics as an investment opportunity.

The nascent robotics boom has also sparked controversy over issues of regulation and standardization. In 2020, the US Department of Labor issued new guidelines for the use of robots in the workplace, aimed at reducing the risk of workplace injuries and improving worker safety. However, these guidelines have been met with resistance from some industry leaders, who argue that they are overly restrictive and could stifle innovation. As the robotics industry continues to grow, it is clear that these issues will only become more pressing.

The robotics boom has significant implications for companies like Tesla, which has been struggling to compete with its rivals in the electric vehicle market. As robots become more prevalent in industries such as manufacturing and logistics, Tesla's focus on autonomous vehicles may seem increasingly niche. However, experts argue that the development of autonomous vehicles will be a crucial component of the broader robotics boom, and that companies like Tesla are well-positioned to capitalize on this trend.

The robotics boom also has significant implications for research communities, which are eager to develop new robotic systems that can learn and adapt to new situations. According to a report by the National Science Foundation, the field of robotics is one of the fastest-growing areas of research in the US, with over $1 billion in funding allocated to robotics research in 2020. As the robotics industry continues to grow, it is clear that research communities will play a critical role in driving innovation and development.

The robotics boom also has significant implications for markets and policy environments. As robots become more prevalent in industries such as manufacturing and logistics, there is a growing risk of job displacement, which could have significant social and economic implications. According to a report by the McKinsey Global Institute, up to 800 million jobs could be lost worldwide due to automation by 2030. As policymakers grapple with these challenges, they will need to develop new strategies for supporting workers who are displaced by automation.