Serve Robotics vs. Teradyne: Which Robotics Stock Is the Better Buy?

Core Insights - Automation and robotics are transitioning from experimentation to real-world applications, driven by advancements in AI and labor constraints, with Serve Robotics and Teradyne representing different investment opportunities within this megatrend [1][2] Group 1: Serve Robotics - Serve Robotics is focused on deploying autonomous delivery robots in urban areas, benefiting from increased engagement with delivery platforms and restaurant partners as automation acceptance grows [4] - The company reported significant growth in delivery volumes, deploying over 2,000 autonomous robots and achieving operational milestones, while maintaining reliability and safety [5] - Despite rapid expansion, Serve Robotics faces financial pressures, reporting a GAAP net loss of $33 million in Q3 2025 and $67 million for the first nine months of the year, indicating a challenging path to breakeven [6] - Future growth is expected to be driven by an expanding fleet, improved autonomy, and partnerships with companies like Uber Eats and DoorDash, aiming for increased revenue through urban adoption [7] Group 2: Teradyne - Teradyne is experiencing increased demand for AI-driven semiconductor and automation workloads, with Q3 2025 revenues rising 4.3% year-over-year, primarily due to strength in semiconductor testing [8][10] - The company is leveraging its scale and engineering capabilities to align with long-term technology transitions, positioning itself as a key player in advanced semiconductor production [9] - However, Teradyne's robotics revenues have been flat and declined year-over-year, reflecting challenges in industrial automation and variability in AI project timing [11] - Looking ahead, Teradyne anticipates that AI-related demand will continue to drive growth through 2026, supported by investments in differentiated test platforms [12] Group 3: Stock Performance & Valuation - Serve Robotics' share price performance has lagged behind Teradyne's over the past six months, with Serve currently trading at a premium on a forward price-to-sales ratio [13][14] - EPS estimates for Serve Robotics have widened to a projected loss of $1.83 per share for 2026, while Teradyne's estimates have declined to $5.09 per share, indicating expected earnings growth of 43.9% year-over-year [16][18] - The comparative analysis suggests that Serve Robotics offers a stronger growth outlook, while Teradyne presents a more established cash-generating model, leading to differing investment profiles [20]