Prestigious innovation award caps successful week for ABB at Automatica 2016

2016-8-31

 Zurich, Switzerland, June 24, 2016 – ABB presented an entire new range of products and solutions to support the flexible, connected Factory of the Future at Automatica 2016 fair in Munich this week under the themes of Collaboration and Digitalization.

The highlight of the week was the recognition of ABB’s YuMi, the world’s first truly collaborative robot, with the prestigious Invention and Entrepreneurship in Robotics Award (IERA) at the International Symposium of Robotics. The award was given in a forum organized jointly by IEEE Robotics and the International Federation of Robotics. Nominees were judged on technical merits as well as the current and future impact of innovations on the robotics industry.

The YuMi solution was launched in 2015 in anticipation of the increased need for collaborative automation in consumer electronics. 

“We are pleased with the YuMi solution’s strong penetration in our targeted 3C sector, but what is especially encouraging is all the completely new customers talking to us at Automatica about collaborative applications. These emerging opportunities are at the heart of our Next Level growth strategy,” said Per Vegard Nerseth, Managing Director of ABB Robotics. 

In contrast to YuMi’s 0.5 kg payload, ABB also showcased its IRB 8700 robot, the company’s largest ever and capable of lifting 800 kg. The IRB 8700 was also shown in a collaborative application with ABB’s new SafeMove2, an advanced safety-certified software solution that allows people and robots to safely work closer together without compromising productivity.

Digitalization was a key topic as part of an integrated ecosystem ABB calls the Internet of Things, Services and People. Automatica 2016 saw the global introduction of a new suite of Connected Services that can measurably improve the performance and reliability of individual robots up to entire fleets spread across several factories. 

"Automatica is always a great opportunity to talk to the top decision makers here in Germany, where digitalization and Industry 4.0 are high on the agenda,” added Nerseth, “But this year we also had the opportunity to talk with new customers from the Americas and Asia too who are looking for solutions to improve the flexibility and efficiency of their operations and move in the direction of the Factory of the Future. This is truly a global topic.” 

Of the roughly 1,000 opportunity discussions ABB had with customers during the event, one in five came from outside Germany. ABB recently solidified its position as the number one robot manufacturer in Europe and a global leader with the milestone delivery of its 300,000th robot.