Us, Robot
16 OCT, 2025
By Peter Lingen, Lead Portfolio Manager of Pictet Robotics and Head of Tech Strategies, Pictet AM
Robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence (AI) are reshaping entire sectors of the global economy. Today, this is a market with a stock market capitalization of twelve trillion dollars, including applications such as robotic surgery, autonomous driving systems, and logistics.
The key element is the speed of innovation.
Ten years ago, robots were seen as large industrial machines mainly performing routine tasks in automotive and electronics sectors. Countries like South Korea, with aging populations, had higher demand for robots. In Europe, Odense, Denmark is a leading center for robotics and automation. In the 1990s, the Mærsk Group shipyard collaborated with the University of Southern Denmark to develop robotic welding systems, laying the foundation for a talent-rich ecosystem for collaborative robotics and advanced automation.
An aging population and declining productivity are increasing the demand for automation. Global supply chains face pressure, and companies are bringing production closer to home, boosting the need for robots to improve productivity, mobility, and safety. The penetration rate of industrial robots per 10,000 employees, estimated at 555 in 2025, could reach 602 by 2027 (World Robotics).
The infrastructure for AI has grown rapidly thanks to semiconductors, manufacturing equipment, and design software. Major U.S. hyperscalers—Microsoft, Amazon, Google, and Meta—are investing $400 billion this year in data centers, benefiting companies like AMD.
Generative AI is changing how robots learn and interact, enhancing data analysis, predictive functions, and simulations. This drives demand for semiconductors and DRAM memory. Applications are emerging in customer service and personnel selection, benefiting companies like Salesforce (Agentforce) and Snowflake.
Robots are becoming more capable of independent navigation. More powerful batteries allow them to operate longer and handle heavier loads, expanding roles in logistics, transportation, and agriculture. The collaborative robot (cobot) market could grow 35% through 2030 (Markets and Markets). Key players include Teradyne, Siemens, and Fanuc.
We are also at a tipping point in “physical AI”, including autonomous vehicles, robo-taxis, and humanoids. The number of these robots has increased tenfold since 2022 (Morgan Stanley). Semiconductor demand grows accordingly, with $1,200 per high-end car and $30,000 per robo-taxi.
Finally, mergers and acquisitions are accelerating. Salesforce acquired Informatica ($8B), Alphabet bought Wiz ($32B), ServiceNow acquired Moveworks ($2.85B), and Workday acquired Sana Labs. Recent IPOs, including Reddit, Kioxia, CoreWeave, and Figma, signal a resurgence in public offerings.
