However, those concerns were generally raised regarding da Vinci’s urological and gynecological procedures, which account for 70% of its procedures. If doctors start to use the system for more complex procedures, such as cardiothoracic ones (which are currently undergoing tests), then the system could find a new source of growth.
But rich doctors still need fancy cars
Speaking of well-paid surgeons, let’s also turn our attention towards the toys of the affluent – namely fancy cars. These days, one high-end car company is garnering more attention than all the others – electric automaker Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA).
Shares of Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) have soared 240% over the past twelve months on gushing reviews of its recently released Model S, which retails for $70,000 to $80,000 before a government tax credit of $7,500. On a single charge, the Model S can be driven 230 miles on its 60 kWh battery and 300 miles on its 85 kWh battery, allaying the most common fears of an electric car running out of juice in the middle of nowhere.
Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) sold 4,900 Model S vehicles last quarter, topping its prior outlook of 4,500 units. The company currently has the capacity to produce 25,000 vehicles annually, but new factory expansions could allow it to increase production to 100,000 vehicles.
Although electric cars are still a speculative niche market, CEO Elon Musk has rallied the support of some major energy companies, such as NRG Energy Inc (NYSE:NRG), to help build a network of supercharging stations across the country, built on top of existing power grids and extended through gas stations, stores and restaurants. 27 supercharging stations will be available across the United States by the summer, and Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) claims that by the end of year, most major metropolitan areas will be covered.
Therefore, as Tesla’s vehicles get cheaper and charging infrastructure grows, this company also looks like a solid bet on a major paradigm shift in the future.
The Foolish bottom line
In the end, the future is a very speculative place to invest in. After all, all three stocks mentioned in this article aren’t cheap – iRobot trades at 36 times forward earnings, Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (NASDAQ:ISRG) at 24 and Tesla Motors at a whopping 116.
However, investors who plan to buy and hold stocks for decades should consider the long-term growth potential of these companies. If you believe that robotic doctors and electric cars will become a reality in your lifetime, then perhaps the time to buy is today, when other investors are still skeptical.
Leo Sun has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Intuitive Surgical, iRobot , and Tesla Motors . The Motley Fool owns shares of Intuitive Surgical and Tesla Motors.
The article Dreaming of Robot Doctors and Electric Cars originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Leo Sun.
Leo is a member of The Motley Fool Blog Network — entries represent the personal opinion of the blogger and are not formally edited.
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