# Teradyne's acquisition strategy & the future of cobots

- Show: [The Robot Report Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast)
- Published: 2021-01-15
- Length: 44m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2021-01-15-teradynes-acquisition-strategy-the-future-of-cobots
- Listen: https://soundcloud.com/robot-report-podcast/teradynes-acquisition-strategy-the-future-of-cobots

## Summary

Greg Smith, president of Teradyne’s Industrial Automation Group and interim president of Universal Robots, explains Teradyne’s acquisition strategy, which focuses on adding foundational technologies to its portfolio of companies including Universal Robots, Mobile Industrial Robots (MiR), Energid, and AutoGuide Mobile Robots. Smith discusses the challenges of scaling Universal Robots, noting they shipped over 9,000 cobots in 2020, and analyzes the economic hurdles of mobile manipulation, specifically the poor ROI when combining arms with mobile bases. He also contrasts Teradyne’s pragmatic approach to automation with the ambitious, long-term vision of Boston Dynamics, which was recently acquired by Hyundai.

## Chapters

- [0:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2021-01-15-teradynes-acquisition-strategy-the-future-of-cobots#t=7) Introduction and Greg Smith's Background
- [6:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2021-01-15-teradynes-acquisition-strategy-the-future-of-cobots#t=379) Teradyne's Acquisition Strategy and Vision
- [12:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2021-01-15-teradynes-acquisition-strategy-the-future-of-cobots#t=726) Universal Robots Growth and Infrastructure Challenges
- [18:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2021-01-15-teradynes-acquisition-strategy-the-future-of-cobots#t=1126) Leadership Transition at Universal Robots
- [24:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2021-01-15-teradynes-acquisition-strategy-the-future-of-cobots#t=1478) The Economics of Mobile Manipulation
- [30:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2021-01-15-teradynes-acquisition-strategy-the-future-of-cobots#t=1807) Future Acquisitions and UR+ Ecosystem
- [33:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2021-01-15-teradynes-acquisition-strategy-the-future-of-cobots#t=2023) Boston Dynamics and Teradyne's Culture
- [35:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2021-01-15-teradynes-acquisition-strategy-the-future-of-cobots#t=2150) News: Bossa Nova Robotics Europe Shutdown

## Topics

- [Growth, exits & acquisitions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/growth-exits-and-acquisitions)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Teradyne (company)
- Universal Robots (company)
- Mobile Industrial Robots (company)
- Energid (company)
- AutoGuide Mobile Robots (company)
- Boston Dynamics (company)
- Hyundai (company)
- Bossa Nova Robotics (company)
- Samsung Bot Handy (product)
- UR+ (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [BONUS: Leaders in Machine Vision and Robotics: Live from Boston, Pt. 2 of 2 (brought to you by A3)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-12-23-bonus-leaders-in-machine-vision-and-robotics-live-from-boston-pt-2-of-2-brought) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [Episode 72: Smart mobile robots for industry - Rafael Lopez](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-02-09-episode-72-smart-mobile-robots-for-industry-rafael-lopez) (Robot Talk)
- [Episode 142: Collaborative robot arms - Mark Gray](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-01-30-episode-142-collaborative-robot-arms-mark-gray) (Robot Talk)
- [Ep. 47 | Universal Robots CEO Kim Povlsen on Collaborative Robots for the 98%](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2022-06-07-ep-47-universal-robots-ceo-kim-povlsen-on-collaborative-robots-for-the-98) (Moore's Lobby)
- [An Outcome-Based Solution for Deploying Robots w/ Saman Farid](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2024-01-30-an-outcome-based-solution-for-deploying-robots-w-saman-farid) (The Manufacturing Executive)

## Citing this page

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