Three Humanoid Robotics ETFs Built for the Tesla Optimus and Figure AI Era Most Investors Have Never Heard Of

Three exchange-traded funds (ETFs) now provide investors with exposure to the rapidly advancing humanoid robotics sector, though each takes a distinct approach. The **Themes Humanoid Robotics ETF (BOTT)**, launched in 2024, is the first pure-play fund dedicated solely to humanoid robotics, holding companies like Tesla, Figure AI suppliers, and Boston Dynamics-adjacent firms. Its performance reflects concentrated risk: BOTT has surged roughly 35% year-to-date and doubled over the past year, trading around $56, but its narrow focus means it is vulnerable to delays in commercial humanoid deployment. In contrast, the **ROBO Global Robotics and Automation Index ETF (ROBO)**, established in 2013, has long targeted industrial robotics but includes limited exposure to humanoid-related companies. Meanwhile, the **Global X Robotics & Artificial Intelligence ETF (BOTZ)** blends broader robotics and AI holdings with smaller positions in Korean and Chinese humanoid developers, such as Rainbow Robotics, Ubtech Robotics, and Doosan Robotics—companies rarely accessible to U.S. investors. BOTZ also includes industrial automation leaders like ABB, FANUC, and NVIDIA, which supply critical components like actuators and AI chips for humanoid platforms. The shift from concept to commercialization is accelerating, with Tesla ramping production of its Optimus robot, Figure AI deploying its Figure 02 model, and Apptronik robots already working alongside humans in Mercedes plants. This transition has made the humanoid theme investable, though the revenue potential remains uneven: some companies are generating sales from supporting infrastructure, while others depend on scaling humanoid adoption. BOTT’s aggressive focus on platform builders delivers high upside if humanoids succeed but carries greater risk. ROBO’s legacy industrial robotics approach offers stability but diluted exposure, while BOTZ provides a hybrid play, balancing emerging-market humanoid developers with proven automation giants. Investors must weigh liquidity, concentration, and market access when choosing among these funds, as each reflects a different bet on the future of humanoid robotics.