Defiance ETFs, LLC (“Defiance ETFs”), a leading U.S. issuer of thematic and leveraged exchange-traded funds, has launched the Defiance China Robotics ETF (Nasdaq: CROB), the first U.S.-listed ETF dedicated to China’s humanoid robotics ecosystem. The ETF provides investors with targeted exposure to Chinese companies engaged in the development, manufacturing, and supply of technologies supporting humanoid robotics, including AI-driven robotics, motion control systems, precision actuators, and automation solutions.
Artificial intelligence is increasingly extending beyond software into physical applications, with robotics representing a key area where machine intelligence can interact directly with the real world. China has developed a broad manufacturing and component ecosystem around robotics and automation, spanning advanced motion control technologies, precision components, perception systems, and industrial applications. Against this backdrop, the ETF provides exposure to companies participating in the development of China’s humanoid robotics value chain.
The Solactive China Humanoid Robotics Index provides exposure to companies engaged in the development, manufacturing, and supply of technologies essential for humanoid robotics. Eligible companies are headquartered in China, listed in Hong Kong, Shanghai, or Shenzhen, fall within defined industry classifications, and meet minimum thresholds regarding free-float market capitalization and trading volume. Within this universe, ARTIS®, Solactive’s proprietary natural language processing algorithm, screens publicly available company information to identify and score business exposure across four thematic segments: humanoid robotics and AI-powered automation, motion control and precision actuators, robotic perception and human-machine interaction, and industrial and service robotics infrastructure. Companies are ranked according to their ARTIS® scores, with the index selecting 20 constituents through a rules-based process that includes a constituent buffer for existing index members. A dedicated IPO review also allows eligible newly listed companies to be considered for inclusion between regular selections. The index is reviewed and rebalanced quarterly.
The ETF was listed on 18 August 2026 on Nasdaq under the ticker CROB.
Timo Pfeiffer, Chief Markets Officer at Solactive, commented: “Humanoid robotics represents an important intersection between advances in artificial intelligence and China’s established manufacturing and automation capabilities. The Solactive China Humanoid Robotics Index provides a focused, rules-based approach to identifying companies across the technologies and components supporting this developing ecosystem. We are pleased to work with Defiance ETFs in bringing this targeted exposure to investors.”
“We have watched China run this playbook before, in EVs, in solar, in batteries: scale the supply chain, drive costs lower, and capture global market share. We believe humanoid robotics represents the next phase of this strategy. CROB brings the builders of that entire ecosystem into one rules-based, US-listed ETF,” said Sylvia Jablonski, Chief Investment Officer of Defiance ETFs.
