Robotics & Automation News

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ABB’s YuMi collaborative robot celebrates five years

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ABB is celebrating the big story of its small robot, with its dual-arm YuMi collaborative robot reaching its fifth birthday this year. (See video below.)

Originally launched in 2015 to assist workers in lightweight assembly tasks, ABB says its collaborative YuMi robot has gone on to blaze a trail in a raft of diverse applications and industries, changing many people’s perceptions about what can be achieved with robotic automation.

With its ergonomic design and a range of safety features, including lightweight magnesium alloy arms with soft-padding to avoid pinch points, and advanced motion control with collision detection, YuMi is designed to be installed in workstations alongside people and increase flexibility by allowing humans and robots to work on tasks together that previously would have required safety barriers or cages. [Read more…] about ABB’s YuMi collaborative robot celebrates five years

ABB offers customized digital tools and start-up service as world gets back to work

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ABB is offering “customized digital tools and start-up services” as the world gets back to work after weeks and months of lockdown as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.

ABB says it is offering a “support package” to help restart production lines to support customers’ resumption of operations.

ABB’s Robotics and Discrete Automation business has launched a special package of digital solutions as well as virtual and field service support initiatives to help businesses restart production lines that may have been idle for weeks or months during the Covid-19 pandemic. [Read more…] about ABB offers customized digital tools and start-up service as world gets back to work

ABB releases ‘faster, higher payload’ delta robot

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ABB has released what it says is a “faster, higher payload and more flexible” delta robot – the IRB 390 FlexPacker.

The industrial giant says the machine, along with its other solutions, will its enhance robotic picking and packing portfolio and transform omnichannel order fulfillment and retail logistics.

The new IRB 390 FlexPacker is designed for applications such as customized packaging, vertical packing and high-speed, high-variation sorting and on demand order picking in logistics and e-commerce fulfillment centers. [Read more…] about ABB releases ‘faster, higher payload’ delta robot

ABB expands RobotStudio with ability to control SCARA robots from PC

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ABB says it has “simplified” the use of its popular SCARA robots by giving users the ability to commission and control the robots from their PC through RobotStudio, ABB’s simulation and offline programming software.

Robot Control Mate is an add-on to RobotStudio, enabling users to jog, teach and calibrate robots from their computer, making it easier than ever to control a SCARA robot’s movements.

For the first time, ABB’s offline programming software can be used to control the physical movements of a robot in real-time. Robot Control Mate also makes robot programming possible when a FlexPendant is not in place. [Read more…] about ABB expands RobotStudio with ability to control SCARA robots from PC

ABB offering digital services free of charge

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ABB is making its digital services available free of charge.

During this unprecedented crisis, ABB’s Robotics & Discrete Automation business says it is working to “help customers and partners keep production lines going and to enable businesses to continue to function while many are working from home”.

ABB’s Robotics & Discrete Automation business is making “key software services” available free of charge to our customers until the end of 2020. [Read more…] about ABB offering digital services free of charge

ABB launches ‘Wizard’ to make robot programming ‘more intuitive’

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ABB has launched what it calls “Wizard Easy Programming” to make robot programming “more intuitive”. (See video below.)

The company says Easy Programming makes robots easier to install, program and operate without specialized training, reducing barriers for first-time robot-users to implement automation

Wizard easy programming is a graphical programming method designed to enable users to quickly create robot application programs for ABB’s single-arm YuMi collaborative robot, without the need for specialized training. [Read more…] about ABB launches ‘Wizard’ to make robot programming ‘more intuitive’

ABB and Covariant partner to deploy integrated AI robotic solutions

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ABB, one of the world’s leading supplier of industrial robots, and Silicon Valley AI start-up, Covariant, have formed a partnership to bring AI-enabled robotics solutions to market, starting with a fully autonomous warehouse order fulfilment solution.

ABB says the partnership brings together two companies with a shared vision for robotics enabled by AI, where intelligent robots work alongside humans in dynamic environments, “collectively learning and improving with every task completed”.

Given the accelerated global growth experienced in the e-commerce sector, ABB identified a significant opportunity for AI-enabled robotics solutions across a broad range of applications including logistics, warehousing, and parcels and mail sorting. [Read more…] about ABB and Covariant partner to deploy integrated AI robotic solutions

ABB and Ericsson showcase 5G networks for industrial robots

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ABB and Ericsson, together with Swisscom, demonstrated for the first time how “easily and effectively” robots can be controlled over wide distances utilizing the real-time communication capabilities of 5G.

ABB showcased the potential of no-latency communication enabled by 5G to world leaders during the recent World Economic Forum, in Davos.

At the Congress Center in Davos, Switzerland, an ABB YuMi collaborative robot was seen carving a message in a sandbox that was replicated at the same time by a second YuMi robot located 1.5 km away. [Read more…] about ABB and Ericsson showcase 5G networks for industrial robots

ABB and Porsche forge exclusive partnership to drive forward e-mobility

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ABB, an industrial technology leader, and the automobile manufacturer Porsche have agreed a new and exclusive partnership to jointly promote e-mobility.

As part of a multi-level agreement, ABB is becoming an official partner of the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team, with immediate effect.

Porsche Motorsport is in its inaugural year of racing in the ABB FIA Formula E Championship, while ABB is in its third year as title partner of the first all-electric global race series. [Read more…] about ABB and Porsche forge exclusive partnership to drive forward e-mobility

ABB adds 3D printing capabilities to its RobotStudio simulation software

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ABB is introducing 3D printing capabilities to its RobotStudio simulation and offline programming software, which will enable users to program ABB robots for additive manufacturing “in just 30 minutes”. (See video below.)

Part of the PowerPac portfolio of RobotStudio, the new 3D Printing feature eliminates manual programming to allow faster prototype production.

The 3D Printing PowerPac supports a variety of processes, such as welding and printing with granules or concrete and is ideal for low-volume, high-mix printing. [Read more…] about ABB adds 3D printing capabilities to its RobotStudio simulation software