Teradyne sues Chinese cobot maker over UR software

Teradyne Robotics A/S, the Denmark-based subsidiary of Teradyne and dad or mum firm of Common Robots (UR) and Cell Industrial Robots (MiR), is suing the German subsidiary of Elite Robots. Teradyne Robotics is accusing the Chinese language collaborative robotic maker of infringing on UR’s proprietary software program.

Teradyne Robotics mentioned it has “irrefutable proof” of copyright infringement, although the specifics of Elite Robots’ alleged software program violations have been unclear at press time. The corporate beforehand issued a cease-and-desist letter to Elite Robots’ German affiliate and has now escalated the matter to German courts.

Framing the lawsuit as greater than a normal IP dispute, Teradyne Robotics referred to as on European policymakers and business leaders to take a stronger stance towards IP violations. It warned that unchecked infringement successfully subsidizes non-European rivals on the expense of home innovators.

“This decisive step underscores our dedication to defending mental property and guaranteeing automation clients have entry to the secure and high-quality options they deserve,” mentioned Teradyne Robotics president Jean-Pierre Hathout. “Each automation and innovation are crucial to Europe’s future. We won’t permit the merchandise of corporations that unlawfully copy protected applied sciences to compromise buyer expertise, the mental property of our expertise sector, or Europe’s industrial future.”

The lawsuit comes amid rising concern over Chinese language competitors in industrial robotics worldwide, hitting significantly exhausting in Europe. Teradyne Robotics notes that 48% of European producers view robotics as essentially the most transformative expertise by 2030. In the meantime, the VDMA Robotics + Automation Affiliation, a German commerce group, not too long ago warned that Germany is shedding floor within the international robotics race, partly because of low-cost competitors from Asia.

UR can also be going through elevated competitors from established industrial automation suppliers resembling ABB, FANUC, and KUKA, all of which have launched superior cobot choices.

Hathout added that Teradyne Robotics is “selecting to take a stand towards any rivals keen to repeat proprietary {hardware} or software program design to undercut on worth.” The corporate additionally alerted European security authorities about considerations associated to Elite Robots’ cobot arms, citing rising competitors from producers that don’t apply the identical rigorous security requirements, which might erode client confidence in robotics.

Based in Shanghai in 2016, Elite Robots has expanded into Western markets with a line of cobot arms, claiming greater than 10,000 deployments throughout 35+ nations and over 200 patents and IP belongings. The Robotic Report reached out to Elite Robots for remark concerning the lawsuit however had not heard again at press time.

Teradyne acquired UR in 2015 for $285 million and MiR in 2018 for $272 million. UR has lengthy been a frontrunner in collaborative robotic arms, promoting greater than 100,000 items worldwide, however the firm is navigating a difficult interval. After robust progress through the COVID-19 pandemic, UR posted $311 million in income in 2021, up 41% from 2020. Development peaked at $326 million in 2022, then declined to $304 million in 2023 and $293 million in 2024.

UR’s monetary image grew to become murkier in 2025 when Teradyne started reporting robotics income on the phase degree in This autumn, with out separating UR and MiR. Via the primary three quarters, UR generated $174 million, whereas MiR introduced in $45 million. Robotics income grew 19% from Q3 to This autumn, reaching $89 million, with most of that coming from UR. Primarily based on these figures, UR possible earned round $240–250 million for 2025, a notable decline from $293 million in 2024.

Teradyne Robotics additionally decreased its workforce by roughly 25% by means of two rounds of layoffs in 2025 and restructured its group, consolidating the customer-facing gross sales, advertising and marketing, and repair operations of UR and MiR underneath unified management.

Regardless of these challenges, Teradyne continues to spend money on its robotics group. A key instance is its deliberate U.S. Operations Hub in Wixom, Michigan, a 67,000-square-foot facility in Metro Detroit scheduled to open in 2026. The hub will manufacture UR cobots and ultimately MiR’s autonomous cellular robots, whereas serving as a regional coaching, service, and buyer expertise heart. Will probably be Teradyne Robotics’ third main manufacturing web site globally, alongside Denmark and China, and is anticipated to create greater than 200 jobs.

“We’re investing at a time when others are cautious,” Hathout mentioned. “We imagine issues are going to get higher, and we’re going to be forward of the curve once they do.” The placement was chosen partly for proximity to main automotive and manufacturing clients, and reportedly to assist a big, undisclosed e-commerce consumer, extensively believed to be Amazon, whose new Vulcan warehouse robotic incorporates a UR cobot arm.

Individually, Teradyne Robotics was the defendant in one other patent-infringement lawsuit filed by Sensor360, which alleged Teradyne’s robots infringed a patent overlaying self-organizing sensor networks. That case was collectively dismissed on February 24, 2026, with Sensor360’s claims dropped with prejudice, which means they can’t be refiled. Any settlement phrases weren’t disclosed.

The Robotic Report will proceed to comply with developments within the German courtroom system associated to the Elite Robots case.

The publish Teradyne sues Chinese language cobot maker over UR software program appeared first on The Robotic Report.