Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

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ABB opens its Mexico Technology and Engineering Center

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ABB has established a new regional operations center for North America, bringing technology expertise closer to customers and building on its similar resources globally.

An initial $1 million investment has been made for the new Mexico Technology and Engineering Center (MXTEC) in the city of Merida, Yucatan, to help the technology leader to reach higher project delivery capacity and increase competitiveness.

The center, located within the modern SkyWork building alongside a community of technology and cyber security companies, will be a go-to resource for ABB engineers and covers disciplines including automation, electrical and software engineering. [Read more…] about ABB opens its Mexico Technology and Engineering Center

ABB launches new industrial collaborative robot

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ABB has launched the Swifti CRB 1300 industrial collaborative robot, bridging the gap between industrial and collaborative robots.

Combining “class-leading” speed and accuracy with expanded load handling capability of up to 11 kg, the Swifti CRB 1300 can be used in a wide variety of production and product handling applications – from machine tending and palletizing to pick-and-place and screwdriving.

Andrea Cassoni, managing director for global general industry robotics at ABB, says: “Our customers are looking to robotic automation to make their processes more flexible, efficient and resilient, helping to counter labor shortages by enabling their employees to perform more value-added work. [Read more…] about ABB launches new industrial collaborative robot

ABB RobotStudio takes to the cloud, enabling real-time collaboration

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ABB has enhanced its RobotStudio robot programming and simulation software with cloud-enabled functionality. The new RobotStudio Cloud enables individuals and teams to collaborate in real-time on robot cell designs from anywhere in the world, on any device. 

New features such as automatic version control increase transparency and productivity across teams. The software’s simplified interfaces and intuitive navigation allow users of all skill levels to work on robotic projects.

Marc Segura, president of ABB Robotics division, says: “At ABB Robotics, we continue to develop innovative and flexible solutions to help businesses overcome challenges, respond to changing customer needs and thrive in an age of increasing digitalization. [Read more…] about ABB RobotStudio takes to the cloud, enabling real-time collaboration

ABB opens state-of-the-art robotics mega factory in Shanghai

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ABB has officially opened its state-of-the-art, fully automated and flexible robotics factory in Kangqiao, Shanghai, China. (See video below.)

The 67,000 sq m production and research facility represents a $150 million (1.1 billion RMB) investment by ABB and will deploy the company’s digital and automation technologies to manufacture next generation robots – enhancing ABB’s robotics and automation leadership in China.

Sami Atiya, president of ABB Robotics and Discrete Automation, says: “Building on three decades of success in China, the opening of our new mega factory is another milestone in helping our customers grow sustainably, address labor shortages and create high-value jobs in a new era of automation. [Read more…] about ABB opens state-of-the-art robotics mega factory in Shanghai

300,000 tons in carbon emissions ‘could be saved by autonomous oil and gas operations’

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ABB has published another of its Energy Transition Equation reports that shows how industrial customers can reduce carbon emissions and manage the energy transition for a more sustainable future.

Based on nine months of research and modelling, the report highlights how early adoption and integration of automation, digitalization, and electrification technologies to enable autonomous operations can deliver savings of over 300,000 tons of carbon emissions per annum for offshore sites (approximately 25 percent reduction).

This is the equivalent of removing 150,000 combustion cars from the road and is the same volume of CO2 responsible for five million tons of glacier mass lost each year. [Read more…] about 300,000 tons in carbon emissions ‘could be saved by autonomous oil and gas operations’

ABB launches its smallest industrial robot

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ABB has launched its smallest ever industrial robot, offering new possibilities for faster, more flexible and high-quality production of wearable smart devices.

With its compact size, class-leading payload and unrivaled accuracy, the new IRB 1010 offers electronics manufacturers the opportunity to increase their production of devices including smart watches, earphones, sensors, and health trackers through automation.

Rui Liang, managing director of ABB Robotics’ electronics business line, says: “The market for wearable smart devices is accelerating rapidly, with projections estimating double digit growth between 2022 and 2028. [Read more…] about ABB launches its smallest industrial robot

ABB survey reveals re-industrialization ‘at risk’ from global education gap in automation

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A global ABB survey has revealed a growing trend in US and European businesses towards re-shoring or nearshoring operations to build resilience in the face of global challenges – but at the same time, a significant education gap in the skills necessary for these strategies to succeed.

Sami Atiya, president of ABB’s Robotics and Discrete Automation Business, says: “The world is constantly evolving – businesses are shifting existing structures and adopting new technologies to future-proof their operations for a variety of challenges and uncertainties, with robotic automation playing a key role.

“We need significant investment in continuous education to prepare our existing and future workforce to thrive in an age of robotics and automation, important not only to prepare for the widespread shifts we are seeing, but to create prosperous societies going forward.” [Read more…] about ABB survey reveals re-industrialization ‘at risk’ from global education gap in automation

ABB invests in Scalable Robotics to expand welding systems portfolio

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ABB is entering into a strategic partnership with US-based startup Scalable Robotics, to enhance its portfolio of user-friendly robotic welding systems.

Through 3D vision and embedded process understanding, the Scalable Robotics technology allows customers to easily program welding robots without the need for coding.

ABB Technology Ventures (ATV), the venture capital unit of ABB, will be the lead investor in Scalable’s seed funding investment round. ABB did not disclose the level or the terms of the investment. [Read more…] about ABB invests in Scalable Robotics to expand welding systems portfolio

ABB integrates ASTI and rebrands autonomous mobile robot portfolio as Flexley

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ABB has launched its first range of rebranded autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) following its acquisition of mobile robot startup ASTI Mobile Robotics in 2021.

Since adding AMRs to its portfolio, ABB claims it is “the only company with a comprehensive and integrated offering of robots, AMRs and machine automation solutions”.

Marc Segura, president for ABB’s Robotics Division, says: “At a time when businesses are looking for a range of robotic solutions to help make them more efficient, flexible and resilient, we are the only company supporting them with our integrated offering of AMRs, robots, and machine automation technologies. [Read more…] about ABB integrates ASTI and rebrands autonomous mobile robot portfolio as Flexley

ABB appoints ATS Global to advance data center automation business

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ABB has signed an agreement with ATS Global to extend the reach of the ABB Ability Data Center Automation business.

The Netherlands-headquartered company has become a Global System Integrator (GIS) and will work with ABB to combine expertise and resources, testing the advantages and effectiveness of potential collaborations for data center customers and growing their respective businesses.

DCA is ABB’s industrial solution for on-premise and hybrid cloud environments. It is a controls, hardware and software solution for control, monitoring and optimization of data center infrastructure, with mechanical control in building management system, electrical power management system, supervisory control and data acquisition, and data center infrastructure management capabilities in a single, ruggedized industrial solution. [Read more…] about ABB appoints ATS Global to advance data center automation business