If one is in the business of making such robots, then it would definitely be a good idea to protect one's IP. We don't get to automatically assume the position

If one is in the business of making such robots, then it would definitely be a good idea to protect one's IP. We don't get to automatically assume the position of one player in the value chain (say mobile manufacturer) and assume it would be 'beneficial' to just open source the IP of some supplier. Every 'buyer' everywhere would want all the 'supplies' as cheaply and freely as possible (!) but it can't usually work that way. In the article, there's an email referring one person to the 'manufacturer of the robot and not Tmobile' - which I guess indicates that the thing is not made by Tmo but by some 3rd party supplier. Should that 3rd party who ostensibly invested in designing that thing just 'open source' their products? How would they benefit from that? It's possible they may, but doubtful. I guess because this isn't exactly 'advanced robotic's it all seems a little clownish, but most of what we make isn't super hight tech, yet laden with specific know how and knowledge.