Flex and Teradyne deepen partnership to accelerate AI hardware deployment

Flex is collaborating with robotics and AI to accelerate customer data center deployment. | Credit: Flex

With a goal to standardize automation globally, Flex and Teradyne Robotics have broadened their longstanding partnership to speed up the implementation of physical AI and intelligent robotics in manufacturing. This collaboration creates a dual-track approach where Flex both manufactures Teradyne's core robotics components and acts as a primary testing site.

Flex intends to implement collaborative robots (cobots) from Teradyne's Universal Robots (UR) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) from Mobile Industrial Robots (MiR) across its own global production facilities to enhance operational efficiency.

This expansion marks a strategic shift from traditional hardware support to the forefront of physical AI, where the line between robot maker and user is fading. By integrating Teradyne Robotics' cobots and AMRs into its own operations while also producing their components, Flex aims to tackle the "scale problem" that has long slowed the widespread use of intelligent automation.

For the wider industrial sector, this partnership tests whether combining advanced manufacturing with AI-driven robotics can finally close the gap between experimental automation and consistent global operations.

Flex work with Teradyne includes electronics

Flex already produces key components for UR while deploying its cobots and MiR's AMRs in its own factories. The companies stated they will address power, heat, and scaling challenges through advanced power and cooling tech, as well as scalable IT infrastructure.

The partners claimed that this expanded real-world deployment will provide ongoing operational feedback, validate robotics technologies at scale, and allow for quicker replication of successful automated workflows.

“For more than 20 years, Flex and Teradyne have partnered to deliver semiconductor equipment at a global scale,” said Dennis Kirkpatrick, president of lifestyle, consumer devices, and core industrial at Flex. “Expanding our relationship into robotics and intelligent automation builds on a strong foundation, combining Teradyne Robotics’ industry-leading technologies with Flex’s advanced manufacturing capabilities, global footprint, and execution expertise.”

Flex provides Teradyne, based in North Reading, Mass., with advanced manufacturing, systems integration, and global supply chain support for semiconductor test platforms used in electronics and semiconductor production. The partners said moving into automation is a natural progression, leveraging shared expertise to handle growing complexity, scaling needs, and the demand for greater flexibility in modern factories.

“Working closely with Teradyne Robotics as an automation partner allows us to scale intelligent automation while supporting increasingly complex manufacturing environments for customers in electronics, industrial equipment, data center infrastructure, and other critical sectors,” said Rodrigo DallOglio, president of operational excellence and transformation at Flex.

Partners work to advance physical AI in global manufacturing

Teradyne Robotics and Flex stated they will deliver physical AI technologies designed to create more adaptive, flexible systems within increasingly complex production environments.

Flex is a global manufacturing and supply chain leader, acting as the often-unseen force behind much of the world's AI infrastructure, offering end-to-end services from design to aftermarket support. With over 100 facilities in 30 countries, the company claims to manage 80% of the critical power and computing needs for global data centers, supported by 140,000 employees and 16,000 suppliers.

“Flex’s experience in manufacturing complex products across industries, combined with its global scale and resilient supply chain, makes it an ideal partner for advancing intelligent automation,” said Jean-Pierre Hathout, president of the Teradyne Robotics Group. “Together, we’re accelerating the adoption of robotics technologies that improve productivity, flexibility, and operational resilience across manufacturing environments worldwide.”

Teradyne was recently in the news for its efforts to prevent competitors from infringing on its patents.