Robotics & Automation News

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ABB launches ‘complete’ robot training package to prepare students for future work

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Package includes easy-to-use GoFa collaborative robot cell, 56 hours of teaching materials and globally recognized STEM certification

ABB Robotics is aiming to “close the global education gap in automation” and prepare students for the future of work with the launch of a ready-to-use education package. Comprising a GoFa collaborative robot (cobot), teaching materials and a globally recognized technical qualification, the package is part of ABB Robotics global campaign to help workers thrive in a new era of automation. 

The ABB Robotics Education Package has been created to ensure educational establishments can provide highly skilled young people for companies looking to benefit from robotic automation.

Although some 80 percent of global educators see automation shaping employment in the next 10 years, only one in four education institutes incorporate robotics into their curriculum. Barriers include the lack of teachers trained in robotics and automation and the difficulty in incorporating robotics training into the curriculum seamlessly. [Read more…] about ABB launches ‘complete’ robot training package to prepare students for future work

ABB predicts top US robotics trends

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With annual revenue in the US robotics market expected to grow at 5.62 percent, resulting in a market volume of over $9 billion by 2027, John Bubnikovich, president of ABB US Robotics Division, is making several predictions on key trends in in robotics automation in the US for 2023 and beyond.

Bubnikovich says: ”The impact of US labor shortages is increasingly being felt by many businesses as they struggle to keep pace with customer demands, even with the potential for some softening in the US economy in the short-term.

“This, combined with global political uncertainty, fragile supply chains and rising material costs, in addition to the growing trend of reshoring and nearshoring of operations, means more companies are adopting robotic automation to maximize flexibility, build resilience and adapt more sustainable production processes.” [Read more…] about ABB predicts top US robotics trends

BrainBox AI receives $20 million investment from Québec Government and ABB. Then decides to buy ABB business unit

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BrainBox AI, a developer of autonomous building technology, has raised $20 million to support the continued development of BrainBox AI’s decarbonization technology and its global commercialization efforts.

The company raised the funds from the Government of Québec, the lead investor for 10 million US dollars; and ABB, a returning lead investor and global partner to BrainBox AI.

Sam Ramadori, CEO at BrainBox AI, says: “We are grateful for this significant investment from the Québec Government and ABB. Having their support propels our mission to provide commercial real estate owners and retailers around the globe with a scalable and impactful decarbonization tool. [Read more…] about BrainBox AI receives $20 million investment from Québec Government and ABB. Then decides to buy ABB business unit

ABB unveils AI-enabled robotic item picker for warehouses

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ABB Robotics has enhanced its industry-leading logistics automation portfolio with the launch of the Robotic Item Picker – a new AI and vision-based solution that can accurately detect and pick items in unstructured environments in warehouses and fulfillment centers.

Daniel Navarro, managing director of consumer segments and service robotics at ABB Robotics, says: “The explosion of e-commerce, changing consumer demands, and global labor shortages are driving the need for flexible automated solutions that make order fulfillment and distribution faster and more efficient.

“With its ability to learn and adapt in constantly changing warehouse environments, our AI-enabled Robotic Item Picker sees items and decides how to pick them, at speed with more than 99.5 percent efficiency, helping businesses overcome these challenges and build resilience.” [Read more…] about ABB unveils AI-enabled robotic item picker for warehouses

ABB ‘transforms’ mobile robot performance with launch of Visual SLAM technology

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ABB Robotics says it has “transformed” its autonomous mobile robots with the addition of Visual Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (Visual SLAM) technology, enabling its AMRs to make intelligent navigation decisions based on their surroundings.

Using AI-enabled 3D vision to perform location and mapping functions, ABB’s Visual SLAM AMRs make production faster, more flexible, efficient and resilient while taking on dull, dirty and dangerous tasks so people can focus on more rewarding work.

Visual SLAM combines AI and 3D vision technologies to guarantee a superior performance in comparison to other guidance techniques for AMRs. [Read more…] about ABB ‘transforms’ mobile robot performance with launch of Visual SLAM technology

ABB provides ‘complete range of robots’ for one of Europe’s largest kitchen makers

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ABB Robotics has been selected by Nobia to supply robotic automation solutions for their new factory in Jönköping, Sweden.

Nobia is one of Europe’s largest producers of kitchen furniture and related equipment.

By securing the contract, ABB Robotics says it is furthering its expansion into new industry segments, helping to make production “more efficient and sustainable”. [Read more…] about ABB provides ‘complete range of robots’ for one of Europe’s largest kitchen makers

Locus Robotics to provide AMRs for optical products distribution specialist

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ABB Optical, a distributor of optical products in the United States, and Locus Robotics, a provider of autonomous mobile robots for fulfillment warehouses, have installed Locus’ AMRs at ABB Optical’s National Logistics Center in Hebron, Kenucky.

ABB Optical’s Kentucky warehouse is the second location to utilize Locus’s innovative robotics automation technology and was built from the ground up to be a Locus-centric facility to improve warehouse order fulfillment efficiency and accuracy to deliver a superior fulfillment experience to their customers.

ABB Optical had previously deployed LocusBots at its Florida headquarters in November 2021. [Read more…] about Locus Robotics to provide AMRs for optical products distribution specialist

ABB to invest another $20 million on expanding its robotics factory in US

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ABB has strengthened its commitment to one of its largest customer markets – the US – with construction starting on the expansion of its existing North American robotics headquarters and manufacturing facility in Auburn Hills, Michigan.

The project is expected to be completed in November 2023 and represents an investment of $20 million. The expansion will create 72 highly skilled new jobs in the area and is supported by a $450,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant.

Sami Atiya, president of ABB Robotics and Discrete Automation, says: “Our investment is a significant step in accelerating ABB Robotics’ global leadership in developing and manufacturing cutting -edge robotic solutions in the US, for the Americas. [Read more…] about ABB to invest another $20 million on expanding its robotics factory in US

ABB launches new version of its Swifti collaborative cobot

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ABB has launched the Swifti CRB 1300 industrial collaborative robot, which the company says “bridges the gap between industrial and collaborative robots”.

Combining class-leading speed and accuracy with expanded load handling capability of up to 11kg, the Swifti CRB 1300 can be used in a wide variety of production and product handling applications – from machine tending and pelletizing 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 version of its Swifti collaborative cobot

Automation specialist B&R looking for hundreds of new employees as it significantly expands production

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The ABB Group is expanding production at B&R, its global center for machine and factory automation based in Eggelsberg, Austria.

Now that the global supply chain bottlenecks have eased recently, B&R wants to meet the high customer demand for automation solutions as quickly as possible.

Just this summer, ABB opened a new global innovation and education campus in Innviertel, Upper Austria. In the course of this, production is now also being significantly expanded. [Read more…] about Automation specialist B&R looking for hundreds of new employees as it significantly expands production