Robotics Revolution 2024: A Guide to 16 Industry Leaders

In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, robotics stands out as a field that encapsulates innovation, efficiency, and futuristic solutions. The year 2023 marks a pivotal moment in the robotics industry, characterized by rapid advancements and a significant impact on various sectors including healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, and beyond.

The integration of robotics in these fields is not just enhancing operational efficiencies but is also redefining the boundaries of what’s possible. This listicle focuses on the top 16 robotics companies in the USA that are at the forefront of this revolution. These companies are not only pioneering cutting-edge technologies but also reshaping economic paradigms and offering lucrative investment opportunities. Each review is accompanied by a 5-year price chart.

1) Ambarella Inc. (NASDAQ: AMBA)

A leading developer of low-power system-on-a-chip (SoC) semiconductors, which play a critical role in advancing AI processing, advanced image signal processing, and high-resolution video compression technologies. These technologies are integral to a variety of applications, from video security to advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), electronic mirrors, drive recorders, driver/cabin monitoring, autonomous driving, and other robotics applications.

In December 2023, Ambarella unveiled a full software stack for autonomous and semi-autonomous driving, optimized for its CV3-AD Central AI Domain Controller family. This software stack is primarily based on deep learning AI processing and includes modules for environmental perception, sensor fusion, and vehicle path planning, marking a significant advancement in the field of autonomous driving.

Ambarella has been involved in various strategic partnerships. For instance, in early 2023, the company announced a partnership with Continental to develop scalable, end-to-end hardware and software solutions based on AI for assisted and automated driving systems. Similarly, they partnered with Kodiak Robotics to integrate Ambarella’s AI system-on-chip into autonomous trucks​.

2) AMETEK Inc. (NYSE: AME)

A diversified industrial technology company catering to industrial, commercial, and residential markets with a broad range of products and services, including sensors, controls, electrical products, automation solutions, and software. The Electronic Instruments Segment division focuses on designing and manufacturing analytical, test, and measurement instrumentation. Their products cater to a variety of sectors, including energy, aerospace, power, research, medical, and industrial markets.

The high-tech side of AMETEK, is represented by sophisticated devices and systems for precise measurement and testing. For the Electromechanical Segment, AMETEK provides a range of automation and precision motion control solutions. Additionally, it offers electrical interconnects, specialty metals, and thermal management systems. This division caters to a broader range of applications, from industrial automation to more specialized sectors.

AMETEK’s diversified portfolio allows it to serve a wide range of industries with both specialized and general-purpose products. Its expertise in both electronic instrumentation and electromechanical devices makes it a key player in industrial technology, catering to the evolving needs of industrial, commercial, and residential markets.

3) Azenta Inc. (NASDAQ: AZTA)

Azenta Inc. (NASDAQ: AZTA), formerly known as Brooks Automation, Inc., is a company that provides comprehensive solutions in the realm of biological and chemical compound sample management for the life sciences market. Their services and products are in demand across North America, Africa, China, the United Kingdom, Europe, the Asia Pacific, and globally. Founded in 1978 and headquartered in Burlington, Massachusetts, Azenta Inc. is led by CEO Dr. Stephen S. Schwartz.

They offer automated cold storage solutions, consumables, instruments, controlled rate-thawing devices, and temperature-controlled storage and transportation solutions. They also provide genomic services, including gene sequencing and synthesis services.

Azenta reported a 25% year-over-year revenue growth in the fourth quarter and 20% for the full fiscal year. This growth includes a 2% increase on an organic basis for the quarter and a slight 1% decrease on an organic basis for the year. The company generated positive free cash flow for the second consecutive quarter and expects an organic revenue growth of 5-8% in fiscal 2024. They are also committing to an additional $500 million in share repurchases in Fiscal 2024.

4) Cadence Design Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: CDNS)

Cadence Design Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: CDNS) is a renowned provider of software, hardware, services, and reusable integrated circuit (IC) design blocks on a global scale. They are pivotal in the electronic design automation (EDA) sector, playing a critical role in designing integrated circuits and systems on chips, which are essential for modern robotics and various other high-tech applications.

Cadence offers a range of functional verification services, including emulation and prototyping hardware. They provide products like Genus logic synthesis, Joules RTL power solutions, and the Modus software solution, which helps in reducing design-for-test time for systems-on-chip. Cadence creates schematic and physical representations of circuits down to the transistor level for analog, mixed-signal, custom digital, memory, and radio frequency designs.

In 2023, Cadence won four Open Innovation Platform® (OIP) Partner of the Year awards from TSMC for its EDA and IP design solutions. The awards were for the joint development of the N2 and N3P design infrastructure, 3Dblox design prototyping solution, mmWave design solutions, and DSP IP.

5) Deere & Company (NYSE: DE)

Deere & Company, founded in 1837 and headquartered in Moline, Illinois, is a global leader in the manufacturing and distribution of equipment across various sectors. The company operates through four segments, each catering to different markets and applications. Production and Precision Agriculture includes large and medium tractors, combines, cotton pickers and strippers, sugarcane harvesters and loaders, and various other harvesting equipment.

Deere & Company provides a broad range of equipment, including backhoe loaders, crawler dozers and loaders, excavators, motor graders and articulated dump trucks. Revealed at CES 2023, a new technology ExactShot allows farmers to reduce the amount of starter fertilizer needed during planting by over 60%. It uses sensors and robotics to place starter fertilizer precisely onto seeds as they are planted, enhancing efficiency and sustainability in farming.

Also unveiled at CES 2023, the electric excavator, powered by a Kreisel battery, offers construction workers lower daily operating costs, reduced jobsite noise, enhanced machine reliability, and zero emissions without compromising power and performance. Deere & Company was honored in the Robotics category and the Vehicle Tech & Advanced Mobility category for its fully autonomous tractor at CES® 2023.

6) Emerson Electric Co. (NYSE: EMR)

Emerson Electric Co. is a global technology and software company that provides a range of solutions for customers in industrial, commercial, and consumer markets across the Americas, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. The company operates through several segments, each offering unique products and services.

They offer control, isolation, shutoff, pressure relief, and pressure safety valves, actuators, and regulators for process and hybrid industries. Emerson provides distributed control systems, safety instrumented systems, SCADA systems, application software, digital twins, asset performance management, and cybersecurity.

Emerson executives spoke at the 2023 Reuters Energy Transition North America Conference, focusing on the intersection of technology, sustainability objectives, and operational performance. Discussions highlighted the need for innovation to meet long-term net-zero targets and the role of future software and technology architectures in supporting evolving operating models. The talks also covered how automation technologies can transform renewable energy sources into reliable power through real-time demand forecasting, operational visibility, and analytics​.

7) Helix Energy Solutions Group Inc. (NYSE: HLX)

Helix Energy Solutions along with its subsidiaries, is an offshore energy services company that offers a range of specialty services to the offshore energy industry. The company has a global presence, with operations in regions like Brazil, the Gulf of Mexico, the East Coast of the United States, the North Sea, the Asia Pacific, and West Africa. Helix Energy Solutions operates through various segments, each catering to different aspects of offshore energy services.

Helix provides advanced robotic solutions, crucial for various subsea operations. This segment’s services include installation of flowlines, control umbilicals, and manifold assemblies, trenching and burial of pipelines, and other related support services. In May 2023, Helix Energy Solutions was awarded a significant contract for full-field decommissioning operations in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico Shelf.

The company reported a net income of $15.6 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2023, a significant improvement from a net loss of $18.8 million, or $(0.12) per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2022. The adjusted EBITDA for the third quarter of 2023 was reported as $96.4 million.

8) Intuitive Surgical Inc. (NASDAQ: ISRG)

Intuitive Surgical Inc., traded on NASDAQ under the ticker ISRG, is a prominent player in the medical technology sector, primarily known for its development, manufacturing, and distribution of robotic surgical systems. The company’s flagship product, the da Vinci Surgical System, is a groundbreaking innovation in the field of minimally invasive surgery. This system enables surgeons to perform complex procedures with more precision, flexibility, and control than traditional surgical techniques. The system consists of a console where the surgeon sits to operate, a patient-side cart with robotic arms, and a high-definition 3D vision system.

The da Vinci system is used across various surgical specialties, including urology, gynecology, thoracic surgery, and general surgery. It is particularly beneficial in procedures requiring intricate and delicate manipulation of tissues, such as prostatectomies, hysterectomies, and cardiac valve repair.

Intuitive Surgical invests heavily in research and development to enhance its existing technologies and develop new products. This includes advancements in surgical robotics, imaging technologies, and data analytics. The company often collaborates with medical institutions and researchers to explore new applications for its technology and to gather clinical data to support the effectiveness and safety of robotic-assisted surgeries.

9) Nauticus Robotics Inc. (NASDAQ: KITT)

Nauticus Robotics represents an intriguing blend of robotics and marine technology. The company primarily focuses on developing and deploying oceanic robotics, a field that is gaining considerable traction due to its wide range of applications in areas such as underwater exploration, marine research, and offshore operations.

One of the flagship products of Nauticus Robotics is their Autonomous Underwater Vehicles. AUVs are essentially unmanned, robotic submarines that are programmed to perform a variety of tasks underwater without direct human intervention. These vehicles are incredibly valuable for exploring the ocean’s depths, where human access is limited or dangerous. They are used in a variety of applications, including oceanographic research, pipeline inspection, and underwater mapping.

Alongside AUVs, Nauticus also specializes in surface robots. These robots operate on the ocean’s surface and can be used for tasks such as environmental monitoring, data collection, and possibly even rescue operations. Surface robots offer the advantage of being able to cover vast areas of the ocean more quickly than human-operated vessels, and they can stay at sea for extended periods, gathering data continuously.

As a company dealing with oceanic technology, Nauticus Robotics also carries the responsibility of ensuring that its operations and products are environmentally sustainable and ethically sound. This includes minimizing any potential ecological impact and contributing positively to the preservation of marine ecosystems.

10) ServiceNow Inc. (NYSE: NOW)

A significant player in the field of robotic process automation (RPA). This company focuses on streamlining and automating routine and repetitive tasks, primarily in business operations. Here’s a deeper look into their operations and contributions to RPA. RPA is a technology that automates routine tasks that are typically performed by humans.

ServiceNow’s approach to RPA involves creating “software robots” or “bots” that can handle tasks like data entry, processing transactions, and responding to simple customer service inquiries. This automation is crucial in modern business environments as it enhances efficiency, reduces human error, and frees up human employees to focus on more complex and strategic tasks.

ServiceNow’s solutions are integrated into a company’s existing business processes. Their systems are designed to be user-friendly and are often customizable to fit the specific needs of different businesses. This flexibility allows for a broad range of applications, from small businesses seeking to automate simple tasks to large corporations looking to integrate RPA into complex workflows.

11) NVIDIA Corp. (NASDAQ: NVDA)

NVIDIA Corp, widely recognized for its groundbreaking graphics processing units (GPUs), has also made significant strides in the field of robotics. Leveraging its expertise in high-performance computing and artificial intelligence (AI), NVIDIA has developed platforms and technologies specifically designed to advance robotic capabilities. The company’s involvement in robotics primarily centers around providing powerful computational resources and AI frameworks that enable robots to process complex data and make autonomous decisions. NVIDIA’s GPU technology, known for its ability to handle intense parallel processing tasks, is particularly well-suited for the demands of machine learning and AI algorithms that are integral to modern robotics.

Additionally, NVIDIA has introduced specific software and hardware solutions like the Jetson platform, a series of small, powerful modules tailored for edge computing in robotics. This technology allows robots to process data on-device at high speeds, essential for tasks requiring real-time decision making, such as in autonomous vehicles or drones. By focusing on AI and high-performance computing, NVIDIA is playing a pivotal role in the evolution of smarter, more capable robots, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in automation, manufacturing, autonomous vehicles, and beyond.

12) PTC Inc. (NASDAQ: PTC)

PTC Inc., a prominent player in the digital technology landscape, has carved a niche for itself in the robotics industry through its advanced solutions in computer-aided design (CAD), product lifecycle management (PLM), and the Internet of Things (IoT). The company’s involvement in robotics is primarily through the integration of these technologies to enhance the design, development, and deployment of robotic systems. PTC’s CAD tools, like Creo, are instrumental in the sophisticated design and simulation of robotic components, enabling engineers to create intricate and efficient designs.

Meanwhile, their PLM software helps manage the entire lifecycle of robotic products, from inception through design, manufacturing, and maintenance. Additionally, PTC’s ThingWorx IoT platform plays a crucial role in connecting robots to the cloud, allowing for advanced data analytics, real-time monitoring, and remote control capabilities. This integration of CAD, PLM, and IoT technologies positions PTC as a critical enabler in the robotics field, supporting the development of smarter, more connected, and efficient robotic systems that are transforming industries ranging from manufacturing to healthcare.

13) QUALCOMM Inc. (NASDAQ: QCOM)

QUALCOMM Inc., primarily renowned for its innovations in wireless technology and chipsets, has extended its technological prowess into the realm of robotics. The company’s involvement in robotics is anchored in its development of advanced processors and connectivity solutions that are integral to robotic systems. QUALCOMM’s Snapdragon platforms, for instance, are crucial in powering a wide range of robotic applications, offering high-performance computing, machine learning capabilities, and efficient power management.

These processors enable robots to process complex tasks, such as image and speech recognition, at high speeds with greater accuracy. Moreover, QUALCOMM’s expertise in 5G and wireless communication technologies bolsters the connectivity of robots, facilitating seamless data transmission and remote operation. This fusion of cutting-edge processing power and robust connectivity solutions makes QUALCOMM a key contributor to the advancement of intelligent and interconnected robotic systems in various sectors, including industrial automation, autonomous vehicles, and consumer robotics.

14) Stryker Corporation (NYSE: SYK)

Stryker Corporation, a prominent name in the medical technology industry, has made significant inroads into robotics, particularly in the realm of surgical robotics. Their foray into this field is epitomized by the acquisition and development of the Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Surgery system. This advanced system revolutionizes joint replacement surgery by enhancing precision, reducing variability, and improving patient outcomes.

Mako allows surgeons to create a patient-specific 3D plan and perform joint replacement surgery using a robotic-arm that assists in achieving the precise positioning of implants. The integration of robotics into surgical procedures underscores Stryker’s commitment to innovation in medical technology, aiming to offer more effective, less invasive surgical methods. Their involvement in robotics exemplifies the convergence of medical expertise and advanced technology, positioning Stryker as a leader in the transformative field of robotic-assisted surgery.

15) Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE: TMO)

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., a global leader in serving science, has integrated robotics into its broad array of laboratory and analytical technologies, enhancing efficiency and precision in scientific research and diagnostics. Their involvement in robotics is primarily seen in the development of automated laboratory systems and instruments. These robotic solutions streamline complex and repetitive tasks in labs, such as sample handling, liquid dispensing, and high-throughput screening, thereby increasing productivity and reducing the potential for human error.

The company’s adoption of robotics extends to various applications, including drug discovery, clinical diagnostics, and genomics research. By incorporating advanced robotic systems into their product offerings, Thermo Fisher Scientific not only optimizes laboratory workflows but also enables researchers and scientists to focus on more strategic and analytical tasks, thus accelerating the pace of scientific discovery and innovation.

16) Zebra Technologies Corp. (NASDAQ: ZBRA)

Zebra Technologies Corp., renowned for its innovative solutions in tracking technology and enterprise asset intelligence, has ventured into the realm of robotics to enhance operational efficiency in various industries. The company’s involvement in robotics is primarily through their automation and robotics solutions that cater to the logistics and retail sectors. Zebra Technologies has developed robotic systems that are integrated with their advanced tracking and data capture technologies.

These robotic solutions are designed to streamline warehouse operations, manage inventory, and optimize the supply chain process. For instance, their autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) are employed in warehouses to assist in material handling and order fulfillment, thereby improving workflow efficiency and accuracy. By integrating robotics with their expertise in data intelligence and asset tracking, Zebra Technologies is contributing to the creation of smarter, more connected, and efficient automated systems in the business world.

Robotics is Exciting

The realm of robotics is continuously expanding, redefining industry standards and creating new benchmarks for innovation and efficiency. The companies listed above represent the vanguard of this transformative era, each contributing uniquely to the robotics landscape. Their advancements in automation, AI integration, and innovative applications across various sectors underscore the dynamic nature of this field.

As the global economy increasingly leans towards automation and smart technology, these companies stand poised to lead the charge, making them not only key players in the technological revolution but also attractive prospects for investors looking to align with the future of industry and innovation.

Author Profile

Lucy Walker

Lucy Walker covers finance, health and beauty since 2014. She has been writing for various online publications.

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