Hanwha Asset Management Launches 'PLUS US Robotaxi ETF' as a Pioneer in the Physical AI Era

Hanwha Asset Management announced on July 22 that it will newly list the "PLUS US Robotaxi" exchange-traded fund (ETF), which invests in the robotaxi industry that will usher in the era of "Physical AI."

The "PLUS US Robotaxi" ETF primarily invests in autonomous driving service companies directly engaged in the robotaxi business, such as Tesla, Waymo (Alphabet), and Baidu, as well as in key technology companies supporting the robotaxi industry, including Nvidia, Mobileye (ADAS advanced driver-assistance systems), WeRide (global commercialization of autonomous driving), and Pony.ai (world-class autonomous driving technology). In addition, the fund includes mobility platform companies that connect robotaxis with end-users, such as Uber, Lyft, Grab, and Aptiv (which possesses vehicle solutions and autonomous driving technology platforms), thereby covering the entire robotaxi ecosystem.

Robotaxis are considered the ultimate embodiment of autonomous vehicles and are regarded as pioneers in the era of "Physical AI." "Physical AI" refers to artificial intelligence that operates and interacts with people in the real physical world, such as robotaxis and humanoid robots. Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, has highlighted "Physical AI" as the next-generation AI trend, underscoring its growth potential.

The core competitive advantage driving the growth of robotaxis is overwhelming cost efficiency. According to US investment firm ARK Invest, the cost of a traditional taxi operated by a human driver is $2.10 per mile, whereas the cost for a robotaxi is $0.25 per mile. Robotaxis are more than 88% cheaper.

Kim Jungsub, Head of the ETF Business Division at Hanwha Asset Management, stated, "The robotaxi industry is the key area where 'Physical AI' technology will first and most widely prove its commercial value," adding, "Based on the overwhelming cost efficiency achieved by eliminating driver labor costs, the mobility paradigm will rapidly shift from 'ownership' to 'service.'"

He further added, "In this process, not only autonomous driving service companies but also the key technology and platform companies that make this possible will benefit greatly."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.