Software Licensing in Robot Purchases
Know which model you are buying
| Model | Typical form | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Perpetual | One-off licence per controller | Upgrade fees later |
| Subscription | Annual fee for features | Price changes, feature removal |
| Feature unlock | Paid option per capability | Cost grows with the project |
| Cloud service | Per device or per data volume | Data location and continuity |
Five clauses to settle early
- What happens if you stop paying: does the robot still run?
- Can you transfer the licence to a replacement controller?
- Are security updates included for the life of the product?
- Where is your production data stored, and for how long?
- Can you export programs and configurations in an open format?
Plan for the end
Ask for the exit plan while the vendor is still motivated: source code escrow, a documented backup format, and the ability to run the cell offline. The cost of that question at purchase time is nothing; at end of life it can be a stalled production line.