Inflation expectations in major economies are shifting again, and central banks keep stressing the role of wages and labor shortages. That puts robotics and automation center stage because companies are searching for ways to raise output without relying only on hiring. For investors, this creates a focused hunting ground. This article looks at 3 robotics and automation leaders from our screener that stand out in this backdrop.

The 3 stocks highlighted below are just a first pass. The full Robotics and Automation screen surfaced 33 more companies with equally compelling narratives that are not covered in this article. To identify your own high conviction angles across the sector, head straight to the Robotics and Automation Stocks screener.

ACM Research (ACMR)

ACM Research develops and sells semiconductor manufacturing equipment, with a focus on wet cleaning, electroplating, furnace and packaging tools used in advanced chip production and assembly. Its systems support both front end wafer processing and back end advanced packaging, serving foundries and packaging houses in Mainland China and internationally. The company is valued at about US$5.46b.

ACM Research gives you direct exposure to the build out of semiconductor capacity that supports AI and advanced packaging, backed by strong Q2 2026 results and raised full year revenue guidance. The company is pushing deeper into high value tools like electroplating and panel level packaging, which can support higher margins, yet it still carries clear risks from heavy China exposure, high R&D spend and a more leveraged balance sheet. For investors who can accept that mix of growth potential and concentration risk, ACM Research is a stock that deserves a closer look beyond the headline numbers.

ACM Research is racing to supply tools for advanced chips, yet heavy China exposure and higher leverage keep the story complex. Get the full context in the analysis report for ACM Research

Build your own robotics and automation shortlist

ACM Research and the two other stocks in this article all surfaced from a single custom screen, and you can set up the same kind of filters in minutes. Use our flexible Screener to mix factors like valuation, future growth and balance sheet strength, or jump straight into one of our curated Investing Ideas.

AXT (AXTI)

AXT produces high performance semiconductor substrates such as indium phosphide, gallium arsenide and germanium that are used in AI data centers, 5G networks, sensors and advanced optics. The business currently reports US$126 million of revenue from Semiconductor Equipment and Services and the stock is valued at about US$4.8b.

AXT operates at the intersection of AI data center buildouts and advanced optics, supplying substrates that major customers need for high speed connectivity and LiDAR in robotics and autos. Recent record quarterly revenue, long term supply deals running to 2031 and a vertically integrated materials chain provide substance to the investment case, while earnings quality, export permits and dependence on Chinese demand remain important pressure points. The valuation already reflects a strong outlook, so if you are interested in AXT, the key question is whether this growth, margin recovery and capacity expansion can match those expectations over the next few years.

AXT’s vertically integrated materials chain and long term supply deals could be masking a much sharper risk reward profile than the headline story suggests. Get the full picture in the 2 key rewards and 3 important warning signs (2 are major!)

Lattice Semiconductor (LSCC)

Lattice Semiconductor designs small and mid range low power FPGAs and software for edge AI, industrial automation, robotics and data center control, and generates essentially all of its US$651 million of revenue from its Core Lattice segment. This focus on companion chips and software tools gives the company a clear niche in AI servers and connected devices, while its market value of about US$18.3b shows how much investors already credit that position.

For investors looking at robotics and automation, Lattice Semiconductor sits where AI data centers, industrial automation and edge computing meet, with record Q2 2026 revenue of US$201 million, raised guidance and the AMI acquisition aiming to lift its addressable market and earnings power. Forecast revenue and earnings growth are very strong, yet the stock already trades well above some estimated fair value ranges, is funded entirely by higher risk external borrowing and has seen recent insider selling. If you want exposure to AI hardware and control chips with real design wins across cloud and industrial customers, this is a story worth studying in more detail before deciding whether that growth is enough to compensate for the rich valuation and funding risks.

Lattice Semiconductor sits at the crossroads of AI data centers and industrial automation, yet the real question is how far that story can stretch before risks start to bite. See what the analyst forecasts for Lattice Semiconductor reveals about where the trade off might finally show up.

Seeking Fresh Alternatives Before They Fly

Markets move fast and the next breakout lists rarely stay quiet for long. Scan these fresh ideas before the momentum is fully caught by the crowd and consider them while they are still developing.

• Explore cash generative companies with room to rerate by scanning the curated 51 high quality undervalued stocks while they are still under the radar.
• Identify early participants in AI infrastructure and automation by reviewing the hand picked 55 AI infrastructure stocks at an early stage of market attention.
• Follow where digital asset momentum could relate to equities by reviewing the filtered 20 cryptocurrency and blockchain stocks while these links to blockchain adoption are still emerging.

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.