Robotics & Automation News

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ABB shows off its range of electric vehicle charging solutions

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As countries all over the world continue to expand their electric vehicle charging infrastructure to cope with increasing consumer and commercial demand, ABB is showcasing its innovative range of solutions at industry event Electric Vehicle Symposium and Exhibition, being held now in Stuttgart.

According to the International Energy Agency, more than 2 million electric cars were on the road worldwide in 2016.

And that number is expected to grow to between 9 and 20 million by 2020.

So the demand for effective EV charging infrastructure has never been greater.  [Read more…] about ABB shows off its range of electric vehicle charging solutions

ABB and Northvolt partner to build Europe’s largest battery factory

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ABB and Northvolt have agreed a wide-ranging supply and technology partnership.

The deal includes products and services for Northvolt’s lithium-ion battery factory and close collaboration on development of battery solutions and research and development activities.

ABB Technology Ventures will support the initial phase of this project through an early investment.  [Read more…] about ABB and Northvolt partner to build Europe’s largest battery factory

ABB robot hatches 30 per cent more eggs for Singapore egg farm

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Growing demand for locally-farmed eggs prompted Seng Choon Farm, to turn to automation in an effort to increase its production capacity

In April this year, ABB installed and commissioned a robotic palletizing system at Seng Choon Farm’s 36 acre site in north-west Singapore, to support increased production output as well as the company’s future expansion plans.

Since then, the robotic palletizing system, that stacks heavy boxes and baskets of eggs onto pallets, has raised the farm’s productivity by 30 per cent.

Before the robotic system was installed, workers would manually stack the cartons and baskets of eggs onto the pallets, with a single worker lifting about 15 tons of eggs a day.  [Read more…] about ABB robot hatches 30 per cent more eggs for Singapore egg farm

ABB agrees to buy General Electric’s industrial business unit for $2.6 billion

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ABB has finalised a deal to buy General Electric’s industrial solutions business unit for $2.6 billion.

The deal would result in ABB taking over the part of GE’s business which supplies circuit breakers and other electrical equipment to industry.

GE Industrial Solutions is said to have deep customer relationships in more than 100 countries and an established installed base with strong roots in North America, ABB’s biggest market.  [Read more…] about ABB agrees to buy General Electric’s industrial business unit for $2.6 billion

ABB to showcase range of solutions at Pack Expo

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ABB will feature a broad range of robotic and motion technologies for packaging and warehouse distribution applications at Pack Expo 2017, September 25-27 at the Las Vegas Convention Center (#C-5242).

The exhibit highlights the advanced level of collaboration, digitalization and simplification unique to ABB, which provides manufacturers the flexibility to efficiently adapt production and packaging as evolving consumer preferences require a shift from mass production to mass customization.

Collaboration comes in the form of YuMi, the industry’s first truly collaborative robot, and SafeMove2, the latest generation of ABB’s safety certified robot monitoring software, providing a new level of human-robot interaction that enhances both productivity and workplace safety.  [Read more…] about ABB to showcase range of solutions at Pack Expo

ABB doubling investment in China to see off challenge from Kuka and surpass Fanuc

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ABB has a significant lead in the industrial robotics and automation market in China, but it seems somewhat wary of Kuka. 

The company recently decided it would double its investment in its research and development facility in China, and effectively make it the company’s global R&D HQ.

ABB currently employs 17,000 people in 139 cities in China. Its robotics division, though huge by itself, is just one part of the Swiss multinational engineering company.

Speaking to Bloomberg, ABB CEO Ulrish Spiesshofer says: “ABB is ahead of Kuka globally, we are ahead of Kuka here in the market and our ambition is to stay so.”  [Read more…] about ABB doubling investment in China to see off challenge from Kuka and surpass Fanuc

ABB’s YuMi collaborative robot to conduct classical music orchestra

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ABB’s YuMi robot is to conduct a classical music orchestra in a performance in Italy tonight. 

The dual-armed collaborative robot will conduct a famous aria called La Donna è Mobile, from Verdi’s opera Rigoletto.

The singer at the concert will be the famous tenor Andrea Bocelli.  [Read more…] about ABB’s YuMi collaborative robot to conduct classical music orchestra

B&R gives its industrial PC more power with Intel Xeon processor

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B&R’s Automation PC 910 is now optionally available with an Intel Xeon processor to make it more powerful, says the company.

The new microarchitecture provides a “50 per cent increase in performance” compared to the previous high-performance Core i processors, adds B&R, which was recently acquired by industrial giant ABB.

This level of performance allows effective handling of all applications that require fast analysis of large amounts of data, such as machine vision, data preparation for cloud applications and data mining for collection and analysis of quality data.  [Read more…] about B&R gives its industrial PC more power with Intel Xeon processor

Norautron recruits ABB’s YuMi collaborative robot to help with Abax electronics manufacturing

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Norautron, an electronics manufacturer based in Norway, has invested in the ABB YuMi collaborative robot to help the company meet additional demands relating to a manufacturing agreement with Abax, a supplier of electronics for cars and other road vehicles. 

Norautron fully automatic robotic work cell is said to be able to manufacture, assemble, mark and pack four unique products.

With this new cell, hardware can be assembled in Norway at a competitive cost level, says the company.  [Read more…] about Norautron recruits ABB’s YuMi collaborative robot to help with Abax electronics manufacturing

General Electric resumes talks to sell its industrial solutions business to ABB

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General Electric has resumed negotiations to sell its industrial solutions business to ABB, according to a report on Reuters.com. 

The US conglomerate’s industrial solutions business includes products such as circuit breakers, relays, panel boards and other technologies for sectors including power generation, telecommunications and mining.

Swiss company ABB had previously talked to GE about possibly purchasing the business, and the price it offered was said to be $2 billion.  [Read more…] about General Electric resumes talks to sell its industrial solutions business to ABB