Teradyne’s acquisition strategy & the future of cobots

Welcome to Episode 30 of The Robot Report Podcast, which brings conversations with robotics innovators straight to you. Join us each week for discussions with leading roboticists, innovative robotics companies, and other key members of the robotics community.

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This week I chat with Greg Smith, president of Teradyne’s Industrial Automation Group. He is also the interim president of Universal Robots, which is owned by Teradyne, taking over for Jürgen von Hollen, who stepped down after four years at the end of 2020. Greg takes us inside the goals and strategy of acquiring Universal Robots, Mobile Industrial Robots, Energid and AutoGuide Mobile Robots. Greg said Teradyne is looking for other industrial automation companies to acquire, and he breaks down what Teradyne looks for in companies.

And was Teradyne interested in Boston Dynamics before it was acquired by Hyundai for nearly $1 billion? Greg also offered a unique perspective on mobile manipulation, saying return on investment can be a major challenge for customers.

I also broke down the shutdown of Bossa Nova Robotics Europe. Headquartered in Sheffield, U.K., Bossa Nova Robotics Europe had its funding cut off from the parent company, Calif.-based Bossa Nova Robotics. Bossa Nova Robotics Europe is in the Administration phase, the U.K.’s equivalent to Chapter 11. And what does this all mean for Bossa Nova Robotics, which has already pivoted its company twice?

If you would like to be a guest on an upcoming episode of the podcast, or if you have recommendations for future guests or segment ideas, contact me. For sponsorship opportunities of The Robot Report Podcast, contact Courtney Nagle for more information.

Podcast timestamps

0-2:41: Show Intro
2:42-36:25 Conversation with Greg Smith, president, Teradyne’s Industrial Automation Group
36:26-43:32 Bossa Nova Robotics Europe shuts down
43:33-44:30 Show Outro