2 Robotics Stocks Riding the Sensor and Medical Boom

Core Insights - The robotics sector is expanding beyond just robots, with significant markets in sensors, vision systems, and specialized surgical tools that are often overlooked by investors chasing humanoid robots [2][3] - F-Prime Capital's "State of Robotics" report indicates that enabling-systems companies attracted $1.6 billion in investment in 2025, an increase from $1.4 billion in 2024, highlighting the essential components needed for robotics [3][10] - Medical robotics is showcasing a proven business model, with surgical platforms generating recurring revenue and benefiting from favorable reimbursement dynamics as hospitals invest in automation [4][10] Industry Trends - The demand for enabling systems like LiDAR sensors and vision systems is growing, with robotics companies needing these technologies for various applications [3][10] - Surgical automation in medical robotics is experiencing rapid growth, with an annual increase of 56% in emerging procedures, indicating a clear path to profitability for startups in this space [4][10] Company Highlights - Ouster (NASDAQ: OUST), a manufacturer of high-resolution LiDAR sensors, reported $126 million in revenue over the last 12 months, a 26% increase from the previous year, and its stock surged 373% as investors recognized the growing role of LiDAR in robotics [6][7] - Ouster's digital LiDAR architecture offers cost and performance advantages over traditional systems, positioning the company well for scaling production and improving gross margins [8][9] - Current losses for Ouster are attributed to typical hardware scaling dynamics, with significant investments in R&D and manufacturing to meet anticipated demand from autonomous vehicles and industrial automation [9]