Robotics & Automation News

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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

Global cement producer Votorantim Cimentos achieves multi-site digitalization with ABB

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ABB has delivered advanced automation and digital technologies to global building materials and sustainable solutions company Votorantim Cimentos, as it embraces Industry 4.0 in cement to simultaneously optimize production and decarbonize operations.

Industrial companies, including Votorantim Cimentos Europe, Asia and Africa Region (VCEAA) – which has the worldwide capacity to produce 55.7 million tons of cement per annum, are ramping up their efforts to ensure lower emissions as governments and international organizations push for net-zero emissions by 2030.

Digital solutions ABB Ability Expert Optimizer and ABB Ability Knowledge Manager have recently been installed in the customer’s plants in Spain, Turkey, Tunisia and Morocco with proven impacts for enhanced productivity, streamlined processes, reduced maintenance and energy savings. [Read more…] about Global cement producer Votorantim Cimentos achieves multi-site digitalization with ABB

ABB robots help tackle Covid by automating testing, research and diagnostics

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ABB Robotics has developed an automated neutralizing antibody testing system with the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) that is the most effective means of determining an individual’s immunity to various strains of Covid.

Developed by ABB Robotics, Life Sciences and Healthcare Lab, located at the Texas Medical Center Campus in Houston, Texas, the system dramatically increases the number of neutralizing antibody tests performed, from 15 to over 1,000 daily.

With a greater number of people assessed for immunity against the different strains of the Covid virus, automating the testing will help UTMB researchers gain a greater understanding of the effectiveness of Covid vaccines. [Read more…] about ABB robots help tackle Covid by automating testing, research and diagnostics

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