Teradyne Robotics has filed suit against Chinese cobot manufacturer Elite Robots in German courts, claiming copyright infringement of Universal Robots’ proprietary software. The lawsuit escalates from an earlier cease-and-desist letter and represents what Teradyne frames as a broader stand against intellectual property violations in the robotics industry.
Teradyne maintains it possesses clear evidence of software copying but hasn’t publicly disclosed technical specifics.
Beyond the copyright claim, Teradyne has flagged concerns about Elite Robots’ cobot safety standards to European authorities. The company argues that manufacturers competing primarily on price may not apply the same rigorous safety protocols required for robots working directly alongside humans in industrial settings.
The lawsuit comes during a difficult period for Teradyne’s robotics division. The group—which includes collaborative robot leader Universal Robots and autonomous mobile robot maker Mobile Industrial Robots—has faced extended sales cycles and cautious capital spending across key manufacturing sectors.
Teradyne’s legal action signals its intention to protect market position through intellectual property enforcement and not price wars. The company emphasizes that automation customers deserve access to safe, high-quality solutions—a message aimed at policymakers and industry leaders as much as competitors.
