5 Mobile Robotics Stocks To Combat Coronavirus Crisis
TM editors' note: This article discusses a penny stock and/or microcap. Such stocks are easily manipulated; do your own careful due diligence.
Healthcare officials believe that coronavirus, which is highly contagious, can be stopped from spreading by social distancing and avoiding contact with infected people. Robotics is playing a major role in easing the burden on healthcare workers.
Mobile robotics has taken center stage in several countries. From aiding doctors and nurses in the hospital to helping police patrol amid lockdown, robots have been playing a pivotal role.
Robots' Role
So far, globally, high-tech robots have been used in manufacturing, defense and security, logistics, inspection and maintenance. However, since the COVID-19 outbreak, robotics is being used in healthcare to minimize human-to-human contact.
From sanitizing hospitals, homes and workplaces to monitoring, surveying, handling and delivering food and medicines to patients, robots are coming to the aid of healthcare workers, thus lowering their risk of exposure. Small bot Tommy, the robot nurse, is being used in Varese’s Circolo Hospital. The robot can monitor equipment in a room and pass on the information to doctors.
In Italy alone, more than 4,000 health workers have been infected with coronavirus while treating patients and around 70 doctors have lost their lives. These robots help in limiting patients’ direct contact with doctors and nurses.
In Wuhan, robots have been used for spraying disinfectant through residential areas, while a patrol robot in Shenyang checked temperature and disinfected people and spaces. Robot chefs have been installed in Ezhou’s hospital kitchen to produce 100 pots of rice per hour, without human supervision.
In the United States, with major cities closing all non-essential businesses, restaurants have been allowed to stay open only for takeout and delivery. Postmates delivery robots help in delivering food in Los Angeles. Similarly, in Britain, a self-driving Starship robot drops deliveries at doorsteps, eliminating contact between people.
Many surveillance robots and drones are being used to enforce curfews and conduct surveillance for security purposes. For instance, in Tunis, Enova Robotics’ PGuards, a four-wheeled, thermal imaging camera and a Lidar (light detection and ranging) technology-fitted robot have been deployed to patrol areas. The robot walks up to people walking in the street and asks them why they are out. The person has to show their identity cards or other papers to the robot's camera, which is monitored by officers controlling it.
5 Stocks to Watch
Given the development and high utility of mobile robotics, the industry is sure to trend northward in the upcoming years. In fact, the global robotics market, which was valued at around $34 billion in 2019, is expected to witness CAGR of 28.5% by 2024. And with coronavirus offering a tailwind, the industry is expected to grow to $23 billion by 2021, per an ABI Research analysis. Hence we have shortlisted five stocks that are poised to grow as the mobile robotics industry trends up.
AeroVironment, Inc. (AVAV - Free Report) offers unmanned aircraft systems and related services. It also provides small Unmanned Aircraft System products, including spare equipment, alternative payload modules, batteries, chargers, repair services, and customer support.
The company’s expected earnings growth rate for the current quarter is more than 100% against the Zacks Aerospace - Defense Equipment industry’s projected earnings decline of 6.5%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s current-year earnings has been revised 8.6% upward over the past 60 days. AeroVironment carries a Zacks Ranks #2 (Buy).
Cadence Design Systems, Inc. (CDNS - Free Report) provides software, hardware, services, and reusable integrated circuit design blocks. The company’s expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 10.5% compared with the Zacks Computer - Software industry’s projected earnings growth of 4.8%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s current-year earnings has been revised 3.9% upward over the past 60 days. Cadence Design Systems carries a Zacks Ranks #2.
Next, we have PTC Inc. (PTC - Free Report) which operates as software and services company. PTC’s product ThingWorx comprises cloud-based tools that allow customers to connect products and devices to the cloud. It is being actively used in the healthcare space.
This Zacks Ranks #2 company’s expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 39.6% compared with the Zacks Computer - Software industry’s projected earnings growth of 4.8%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s current-year earnings has been revised 6% upward over the past 90 days.
Chipmaker NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA - Free Report) offers computer vision that utilizes algorithms for processing images with the aim of making faster and more accurate diagnoses. The company’s expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 22.1% against the Zacks Semiconductor - General industry’s projected earnings decline of 10.8%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s current-year earnings has been revised 0.6% upward over the past 60 days. NVIDIA carries a Zacks Ranks #3 (Hold).
TransEnterix, Inc. (TRXC - Free Report) offers medical device robotics to enhance minimally invasive surgery. The company’s expected earnings growth rate for the current quarter is 54.7%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s current-year earnings has been revised 8.4% upward over the past 60 days. TransEnterix carries a Zacks Ranks #3.
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$TRXC can't perform any elective surgeries during all #Coronavirus nor can they travel to sell robots or train surgeons on robots.
Actually, the article makes no mention of elective surgeries. And essentials businesses are still operating - robotics are being relied on heavily to combat coronavirus worldwide. Drones for surveillance, deliveries, etc. Also some existing customers that rely heavily on robotics will need to do so more. Some who have never relied on robotics may have no other option now. And once the pandemic passes, may continue to do so.
I assume you know that $TRXC's manufacturing and Dr training center are in Northern Italy right in the center of the virus outbreak? Manufacturing new products, training and adoption will be severely impacted and travel for key personal to support hospitals is locked down.
I'm not an expert on $TRXC and you may very well be right. But from what I understand the company is headquartered in North Carolina, and the center in Italy is specifically for its European efforts. Additionally, it's also my understanding that they've moved much of its training to be remote.
These are challenging times but there is room for innovation and creativity to ensure that not every company actually goes bankrupt. I do however agree with you that their sales will be severely impacted. But once things return to normal, there will be a need for surgeries again, and a huge backlog to work through which their robots could potentially help with. So I wouldn't write them off just yet.
That's true, and I agree with the other stocks mentioned. But $TRXC runs out in about 6 months without warrant exercise or another dilutive round. This penny stock shouldn't be included in this article.
Thanks for sharing. My thoughts also. Sounds logical. Just a matter of patience and time, to do it right.