What Is the IBOT ETF? A Complete Guide to Returns, Expense Ratio, Holdings, and Alternative ETFs
The VanEck Robotics ETF (IBOT) is a robotics and automation theme ETF that tracks the BlueStar Robotics Index. It spreads investments across related stocks, from industrial automation to machine vision and embedded AI chips, which draws attention from thematic investors interested in the growth of the automation industry.
SubscribeWhat Is the VanEck Robotics ETF?
This is a thematic ETF that tracks the BlueStar Robotics Index, which covers the full range of robotics-related sub-industries, including industrial robots, automation systems, machine vision, and embedded AI chips.
It suits thematic investors who want to take a long-term position on the growth of the automation and robotics industries.
It is a passively managed (index-tracking) ETF operated by VanEck.
How Does the VanEck Robotics ETF Invest?
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Tracked Index | BlueStar Robotics Index |
| Management Style | Passive (index tracking) |
| Rebalancing Frequency | Semiannual |
| Dividend Frequency | Annual |
| Total Expense Ratio | 0.47% |
The ETF includes companies that derive at least a certain share of their revenue from robotics sub-industries such as industrial automation, robotic surgery systems, 3D printing, machine vision, and embedded machine learning chips, weighted by market capitalization. A cap on individual stock weights limits concentration in any single holding.
- A thematic lineup that broadly covers sub-industries from industrial automation to machine vision
- Semiannual rebalancing that regularly updates the index composition
VanEck Robotics ETF Size and Costs (AUM and Management Fee)
Assets under management (AUM) stand at $102.3M, and the total expense ratio is 0.47% per year.
Compared with peer robotics and AI theme ETFs, it differs in how it allocates across sub-industries and in its fee level.
VanEck Robotics ETF Performance and Trends
1-Year Price Performance
Dividend & Yield
52-Week Price RangeInterest in the robotics and automation theme has continued alongside rising automation investment across industries, while the theme has shown volatility depending on individual company earnings and market sentiment.
Thematic fund flows tend to react sensitively to industry news and the macro environment, and investor sentiment toward AI and automation has been influencing inflows and outflows.
VanEck Robotics ETF Strengths and Weaknesses
Its strength is diversified exposure across the robotics industry, while volatility tied to the industry cycle deserves attention given the nature of a concentrated thematic ETF.
💪 Key Strengths
⚠️ Points to Watch
VanEck Robotics ETF Alternatives and Related Products
Among the comparison candidates listed in the table for the same robotics and AI automation category, a representative example that differs in sub-industry allocation, such as semiconductors and software, and in fee level is BOTZ. Adjacent theme ETFs can also be viewed in the table, including TAN for the solar theme, NASA for the space theme, and AIS for the AI supercycle theme, each with a different allocation focus. Investors who want exposure to large semiconductor companies tied to robotics and AI can also consider semiconductor sector ETFs such as SMH or SOXX.
Peer Comparison ETFs| Ticker | Name | Price | Change | AUM | Total Expense Ratio | Dividend Yield | 1Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 GRID | First Trust Clean Edge Smart Grid | $170.34 | +0.6% | $11.5B | 0.56% | 0.91% | +7.2% |
 BOTZ | Global X Funds Global X Robotics & Artificial Intelligence ETF | $33.42 | -1.8% | $3.2B | 0.68% | 0.53% | -12.4% |
 AIS | VistaShares Artificial Intelligence Supercycle ETF | $64.91 | -2.7% | $1.2B | 0.75% | - | +58.7% |
 NASA | Tema Space Innovators ETF | $21.61 | -0.1% | $994.7M | 0.75% | - | - |
 TAN | Invesco Solar ETF | $41.18 | +0.5% | $883.7M | 0.70% | - | -15.3% |
Top Holdings| Ticker | Name | Weight | Price | Change | Market Cap | P/E | Dividend Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASML | ASML Holding NV | 0.11% | $1675.70 | +0.8% | $645.8B | 41.3 | 0.62% |
| EMR | Emerson Electric Co | 0.10% | $170.74 | +1.8% | $95.2B | 37.3 | 1.3% |
| NVDA | NVIDIA Corp | 0.09% | $213.66 | -0.8% | $5.15T | 27.0 | 0.37% |
| ADSK | Autodesk Inc | 0.07% | $241.73 | -0.3% | $50.5B | 31.3 | - |
| ROK | Rockwell Automation Inc | 0.07% | $451.40 | +1.7% | $50.1B | 42.3 | 1.2% |
VanEck Robotics ETF Investor Checkpoints
These are the points to review before investing in IBOT. Given the nature of an ETF concentrated in the robotics theme, it is worth checking in advance for changes in the industry cycle, concentration in top holdings, and currency exposure.
| Checkpoint | What to Check | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| 💵 Expense Ratio | Check the cumulative impact over a long holding period | Annual fee applies |
| 🏭 Industry Cycle | Changes in the automation and robotics investment cycle | Ongoing monitoring of related news needed |
| 📊 Top Holding Weights | Trend in the weights of specific holdings | Weight cap in effect |
| 💱 Exchange Rate | Effect on returns converted to won | No currency hedge |
Theme concentration and industry cycle swings are the main drivers of short-term volatility. If investor sentiment toward related industries weakens, short-term pullbacks may deepen, centered on the top-weighted holdings, so caution is warranted.
It is an option worth considering for thematic investors who want diversified exposure to the growth of the robotics and automation industries. The risks of industry cycles and holding concentration should be thoroughly reviewed before investing.
SubscribeDisclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. All investment responsibility lies with the investor.
This article reflects information as of July 2, 2026.
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