ABB bolsters its leadership in Chinese robotics sector by introducing three new robot families.
In a significant move, ABB, a global leader in robotics for over five decades, has expanded its portfolio with the introduction of three new robot families: Lite, PoWa, and the redesigned IRB 1200. These innovations are designed to meet the growing demand in China's mid-market robotics segment, reflecting ABB's commitment to China's advanced manufacturing transformation.
The Lite robot family, compact and easy to use, is ideal for essential material handling and pick-and-place operations. It lowers barriers to automation for smaller operators, making it a perfect fit for the mid-market segment.
The PoWa collaborative robot, on the other hand, is a compact cobot built for speed, collaboration, and efficiency. Ideal for fast pick-and-place, palletizing, and machine-tending tasks, PoWa is operational within 60 minutes of unboxing, thanks to its no-code programming and plug-and-play capabilities.
The new robot families are powered by ABB Robotics' OmniCore single control platform, which integrates AI, sensor, cloud, and edge computing systems. This cutting-edge technology ensures seamless operation and adaptability across various industries, including electronics, consumer industries, and general industries.
The redesigned IRB 1200 is optimized for high-speed, high-precision applications and is approximately 20% lighter and more compact than its predecessor. This redesign enables manufacturers to create space-efficient production cells, boosting throughput and operational efficiency.
ABB's robotics event in Shanghai showcased these new innovations, including the AI-driven teaching software tool for PoWa. This software tool follows a simple 'see, speak, do' process, where the robot visually perceives its environment, processes verbal instructions in real time, and immediately translates them into precise actions.
ABB's commitment to China is evident in the fact that over 90% of ABB robots for Chinese customers are now manufactured locally. This local production not only supports China's advanced manufacturing transformation but also underscores ABB's long-standing roots in China, dating back to 1994.
China, the world's largest robotics market, accounted for more than half of global robot installations in 2023. The mid-market robotics segment in China experienced a remarkable growth rate of 24% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) between 2021 and 2024, and is expected to continue growing, albeit at a more moderate pace of around 8% annually, up to 2028. This growth is driven by factors such as government policies, rising labor costs, and the push for "Made in China 2025," which encourages automation among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Today, ABB continues to expand its robotics leadership in China, for China and beyond, building on its full local value chain of manufacturing, research, and development. These new robot families are manufactured at ABB's Robotics' Shanghai Mega Factory, further solidifying ABB's commitment to China's robotics industry.
References: [1] ABB Robotics. (2023). ABB unveils new robot families to meet growing demand in China's mid-market robotics segment. [online] Available at: https://new.abb.com/news/press-releases/abb-unveils-new-robot-families-to-meet-growing-demand-in-china-s-mid-market-robotics-segment
[2] International Federation of Robotics. (2023). World Robotics Report 2023. [online] Available at: https://ifr.org/publications/world-robotics-report-2023
[3] McKinsey & Company. (2021). The future of work in China. [online] Available at: https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/mckinsey-analytics/our-insights/the-future-of-work-in-china
[4] Tsinghua University. (2021). China's robotics industry outlook and development status. [online] Available at: https://www.tsinghua.edu.cn/en/xwzx/xwfb/202108/t20210812_14071281.shtml
- The Lite robot family and PoWa cobot, powered by ABB's advanced technology, are particularly suited for the mid-market segment in China's robust robotics industry, reflecting the growing demand for automation in sectors like consumer industries and SMEs.
- ABB's commitment to the Chinese market extends beyond robotics manufacturing, as it also invests in local research and development to cater to the specific needs of finance, energy, aerospace, and technology industries.
- As China continues to be the world's largest market for robotics installations, ABB's local manufacturing of robots not only supports China's advanced manufacturing transformation but also strengthens its position in the global robotics industry, particularly in the energy and electronics sectors.
