Remy is joined by Brendan Ahern, CIO of KraneShares, and Teddy Haggerty, CEO of RoboStore, to delve deeper into the implications of these advancements. The segment kicks off with Teddy introducing the Unitree G1, a state-of-the-art humanoid robot designed as a developer package for research and development in robotics. He explains the technology behind the G1, which includes an NVIDIA computer, Intel depth sensors, and LiDAR, showcasing the collaborative efforts of various companies in the robotics ecosystem.
Brendan shares insights from his recent travels in Asia, noting that while Asian economies may currently lead in robotics, the U.S. is rapidly catching up. He discusses the upcoming IPO of Unitree, a Chinese company, and emphasizes the global nature of the robotics industry, which encompasses not only robotics manufacturers but also rare earth companies and automotive manufacturers transitioning into robotics.
The conversation shifts to the potential use cases for humanoid robots, with Brendan highlighting their applications in customer-facing roles, manufacturing, and law enforcement. He elaborates on the integration of AI into these robots, explaining how they can utilize large language models (LLMs) to perform a variety of tasks, thereby enhancing their functionality.
As the discussion progresses, Remy and the guests examine investment themes for 2025, particularly the role of AI in robotics. They reference predictions from companies like Huawei and Morgan Stanley regarding the future prevalence of humanoid robots in households and industries. Brendan underscores the challenges of identifying the leading companies in this rapidly evolving sector, which is why the KOID ETF was created to include a diverse range of firms involved in robotics.
The segment also addresses national security concerns, particularly the collaboration between U.S. technology and Chinese manufacturing in the development of humanoid robots. Remy prompts a discussion on the price points of various models, from entry-level options to high-end versions designed for research and development, highlighting the increasing accessibility of robotics technology.