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3 Stocks in Focus After Jeff Bezos Walks With SpotMini Robot
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The collaboration of machines with artificial intelligence (AI) is taking robotics to new highs that humans could have hardly imagined till a few years back. Jeff Bezos’ recent walk with a robot dog is an example of that.
Earlier this week, the current richest man in the world strolled at the annual MARS robotics conference held in Palm Springs, CA with a robotic dog called SpotMini built by Boston Dynamics, a prominent robotics design company. Notably, last month, SpotMini was seen opening unlocked doors with an extended arm attached to its structure.
AI Driving Robotics Development
The advancements in robotics and the subsequent promotion of the same are probably bringing us closer to the day when robots will assist humans in household chores as seen in sci-fi movies.
We believe AI has a huge role to play in turning these movie sequences into reality, with the aim of incorporating cognitive thinking process into machines. We have seen the virtual versions of intelligent machines in the form of voice assistants like Apple’s (AAPL - Free Report) Siri, Ok Google, Microsoft’s (MSFT - Free Report) Cortana and Amazon’s (AMZN - Free Report) Echo among others.
It seems that now is the time to look at lifelike and realistic forms of these machines, which would have a wider range of applications. Events like granting of citizenship to the world’s first humanoid robot, Sophia by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as well as development of the first artificially intelligent politician, Sam in New Zealand indicate that the gap between the human world and robotics is being bridged.
Projections Bullish
In a recent report, IDC projected that worldwide spending on robotics will be around $94 billion in 2018.
The year will also see around 90% of the spending allocated for 2017 to 2021 timeframe. Industrial robotics, comprising “discrete and process manufacturing," “resource and healthcare” and “retail and wholesale” industries, will witness the highest spending. The industrial segment will be followed by service and consumer robots.
We believe that such huge growth prospect bodes well for the robotics industry participants.
Let’s take a look at some stocks, which are likely to bring man and machine closer.
Rockwell Automation Inc. (ROK - Free Report) is an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of industrial automation equipment, application specific integrated software and consulting design services, based in Milwaukee, WI. The company is well positioned to benefit from attractive opportunities in the industrial automation and information market.
Notably, Rockwell beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the trailing four quarters with an average positive surprise of 7.07%.
Its long-term earnings growth rate is currently pegged at 11.4%.
Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (ISRG - Free Report) is a prominent name in the minimally invasive robotic-assisted surgery domain. Intuitive Surgical has gained significantly on the CE Mark approval for da Vinci X in Europe. The stock got a further boost from the recent FDA approval of the same. The company plans to expand the usage of da Vinci in general and thoracic surgery, colorectal surgery and hernia repair, going forward.
Notably, Intuitive Surgical beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in all the trailing four quarters with an average positive surprise of 15.01%.
Long-term earnings growth rate for this Zacks Rank #2 stock is currently pegged at 10.7%.
While these companies are solely focused on manufacturing, International Business Machines Corp (IBM - Free Report) is responsible for providing AI that runs these machines.
The company’s advancement in the AI domain with its dedicated platform, Watson is a huge positive in our view. The company has been showcasing Watson powered robots since 2015. We believe Watson has a lot to offer going forward.
Notably, IBM beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in all the trailing four quarters with an average positive surprise of 2.83%.
Its long-term earnings growth rate is currently pegged at 4.9%.
IBM carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
International Business Machines Corporation Revenue (TTM)
Though some experts fear that machines may overpower human intelligence in the future, for now, adequately-abled machines could be of great assistance, increasing productivity and efficiency of the entire population.
Looking for Stocks with Skyrocketing Upside?
Zacks has just released a Special Report on the booming investment opportunities of legal marijuana.
Ignited by new referendums and legislation, this industry is expected to blast from an already robust $6.7 billion to $20.2 billion in 2021. Early investors stand to make a killing, but you have to be ready to act and know just where to look.
Image: Bigstock
3 Stocks in Focus After Jeff Bezos Walks With SpotMini Robot
The collaboration of machines with artificial intelligence (AI) is taking robotics to new highs that humans could have hardly imagined till a few years back. Jeff Bezos’ recent walk with a robot dog is an example of that.
Earlier this week, the current richest man in the world strolled at the annual MARS robotics conference held in Palm Springs, CA with a robotic dog called SpotMini built by Boston Dynamics, a prominent robotics design company. Notably, last month, SpotMini was seen opening unlocked doors with an extended arm attached to its structure.
AI Driving Robotics Development
The advancements in robotics and the subsequent promotion of the same are probably bringing us closer to the day when robots will assist humans in household chores as seen in sci-fi movies.
We believe AI has a huge role to play in turning these movie sequences into reality, with the aim of incorporating cognitive thinking process into machines. We have seen the virtual versions of intelligent machines in the form of voice assistants like Apple’s (AAPL - Free Report) Siri, Ok Google, Microsoft’s (MSFT - Free Report) Cortana and Amazon’s (AMZN - Free Report) Echo among others.
It seems that now is the time to look at lifelike and realistic forms of these machines, which would have a wider range of applications. Events like granting of citizenship to the world’s first humanoid robot, Sophia by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as well as development of the first artificially intelligent politician, Sam in New Zealand indicate that the gap between the human world and robotics is being bridged.
Projections Bullish
In a recent report, IDC projected that worldwide spending on robotics will be around $94 billion in 2018.
The year will also see around 90% of the spending allocated for 2017 to 2021 timeframe. Industrial robotics, comprising “discrete and process manufacturing," “resource and healthcare” and “retail and wholesale” industries, will witness the highest spending. The industrial segment will be followed by service and consumer robots.
We believe that such huge growth prospect bodes well for the robotics industry participants.
Let’s take a look at some stocks, which are likely to bring man and machine closer.
Rockwell Automation Inc. (ROK - Free Report) is an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of industrial automation equipment, application specific integrated software and consulting design services, based in Milwaukee, WI. The company is well positioned to benefit from attractive opportunities in the industrial automation and information market.
Notably, Rockwell beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the trailing four quarters with an average positive surprise of 7.07%.
Its long-term earnings growth rate is currently pegged at 11.4%.
Rockwell carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Rockwell Automation, Inc. Revenue (TTM)
Rockwell Automation, Inc. Revenue (TTM) | Rockwell Automation, Inc. Quote
Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (ISRG - Free Report) is a prominent name in the minimally invasive robotic-assisted surgery domain. Intuitive Surgical has gained significantly on the CE Mark approval for da Vinci X in Europe. The stock got a further boost from the recent FDA approval of the same. The company plans to expand the usage of da Vinci in general and thoracic surgery, colorectal surgery and hernia repair, going forward.
Notably, Intuitive Surgical beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in all the trailing four quarters with an average positive surprise of 15.01%.
Long-term earnings growth rate for this Zacks Rank #2 stock is currently pegged at 10.7%.
Intuitive Surgical, Inc. Revenue (TTM)
Intuitive Surgical, Inc. Revenue (TTM) | Intuitive Surgical, Inc. Quote
While these companies are solely focused on manufacturing, International Business Machines Corp (IBM - Free Report) is responsible for providing AI that runs these machines.
The company’s advancement in the AI domain with its dedicated platform, Watson is a huge positive in our view. The company has been showcasing Watson powered robots since 2015. We believe Watson has a lot to offer going forward.
Notably, IBM beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in all the trailing four quarters with an average positive surprise of 2.83%.
Its long-term earnings growth rate is currently pegged at 4.9%.
IBM carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
International Business Machines Corporation Revenue (TTM)
International Business Machines Corporation Revenue (TTM) | International Business Machines Corporation Quote
Conclusion
Though some experts fear that machines may overpower human intelligence in the future, for now, adequately-abled machines could be of great assistance, increasing productivity and efficiency of the entire population.
Looking for Stocks with Skyrocketing Upside?
Zacks has just released a Special Report on the booming investment opportunities of legal marijuana.
Ignited by new referendums and legislation, this industry is expected to blast from an already robust $6.7 billion to $20.2 billion in 2021. Early investors stand to make a killing, but you have to be ready to act and know just where to look.
See the pot trades we're targeting>>