Defiance lists AT, a U.S. ETF aimed at robotics actuators

Defiance ETFs launched the Defiance Robotics Actuators ETF (Cboe: AT), which it calls the first U.S.-listed ETF dedicated to robotics actuators. The fund seeks to track the MarketVector Humanoid Actuator Index — companies that make actuator systems and precision motion components such as servo motors, harmonic drives, ball screws, and encoders — and carries a 0.69% gross expense ratio.

Same-day company primary that a new U.S. ETF is listing on the humanoid actuator supply chain — motors, reducers, screws, encoders — not another broad AI or robotics theme basket. That is a concrete listed product on the physical layer of humanoid buildout.

Defiance ETFs, a Miami thematic ETF shop, announced via GlobeNewswire on 15 Sep 2026 the launch of the Defiance Robotics Actuators ETF, ticker AT on Cboe. An ETF, or exchange-traded fund, is a basket of stocks you can buy like a single ticker. Cboe is the U.S. Exchange listing the shares. The release is datelined MIAMI, Sept. 15, 2026, and timed 09:00 ET. That company PRIMARY via GlobeNewswire is the filing event. These are company claims.

The company describes AT as the first U.S.-listed ETF dedicated to robotics actuators. That “first” line is a company claim. Defiance’s own asterisk says it checked SEC EDGAR and public ETF listings as of 11 Sep 2026 and found no other U.S.-listed fund whose name, index, or stated strategy is dedicated to robotics actuator companies — and that the claim can change.

Mandate, as Defiance tells it: targeted exposure to companies that design and manufacture actuator systems and precision motion components — servo motors, harmonic drives, ball screws, encoders — that turn a robot’s instructions into movement. An actuator is the motor, gear, and sensor package that moves a robot joint.

Index, still company: the fund seeks to track the MarketVector Humanoid Actuator Index from MarketVector Indexes GmbH. The index rebalances quarterly.

Index eligibility, company: U.S. And non-U.S. Companies that derive at least 50% of revenues from actuator systems, motion control components, and related technologies for humanoid robots, collaborative robots, and next-generation automation. A collaborative robot, or cobot, is a robot built to work near people.

Fund details, company: gross expense ratio 0.69%. An expense ratio is the annual fund fee as a percent of assets. Investment adviser Defiance ETFs, LLC; sub-adviser Penserra Capital Management LLC; distributor Foreside Fund Services, LLC; a series of ETF Series Solutions.

Named voice on the release: Sylvia Jablonski, chief investment officer of Defiance ETFs, arguing the humanoid conversation is about the “brain” while the actuators do the lifting. Her quotes are color only and stay in Sources. This is not investment advice.

Company narrative context, still Defiance’s — not independent Bad Signal verification: the release cites McKinsey on actuators as about 40–60% of a humanoid bill of materials and on capacity constraints; Tesla converting a Fremont line for Optimus; Schaeffler humanoid actuator partnerships; and a TrendForce line on China humanoid output. A bill of materials is the parts list and cost stack for building the machine.

Plain English for the rest of the card: ETF = exchange-traded fund — a basket of stocks you can buy like a single ticker. Actuator = the motor, gear, and sensor package that moves a robot joint. Cboe = the exchange listing the ticker. Expense ratio = annual fund fee as a percent of assets. Harmonic drive / servo motor / ball screw / encoder = common precision motion parts in robot arms and joints.