ABB Robotics, a leading industrial robot designer based in Sant Quirze del Vallès, is undergoing significant changes in response to the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) and software innovation in the industrial sector. The company is moving towards operating independently from the ABB group to better adapt to the fast-paced advancements in AI and software technologies, which outpace traditional industrial sectors. As part of this transition, the SoftBank group has made the decision to acquire ABB Robotics, aiming to integrate it into their ecosystem focused on AI, data centers, and physical AI.
The acquisition, set to be finalized during the summer, marks a strategic shift for ABB Robotics. The Sant Quirze del Vallès facility plays a vital role globally within the company, housing specialized departments dedicated to vision technology development, digital tools, and simulation software. With a diverse team of professionals representing 47 nationalities, the center is positioned as a hub of innovation, leveraging AI to drive added value.
ABB Robotics is forging key strategic partnerships to shape its future direction. The upcoming integration with SoftBank group will enable the use of OpenAI as an industrial-grade AI engine, empowering robots to comprehend the physical world rather than just perform tasks. Additionally, by combining Nvidia’s Omniverse platform with ABB’s RobotStudio software, RobotStudio Hyper Reality has been developed, offering highly realistic digital twins of robots tailored to individual customer needs. This cutting-edge technology promises to significantly reduce delivery times and programming costs.
Sergio Martín, the General Manager of ABB Robotics for Spain and Portugal, highlights the collaboration with Nvidia and emphasizes the platform’s computational capabilities and its role in creating a seamless transition from virtual to real-world scenarios. The Customer Innovation Center in Sant Quirze serves as a platform for engaging with clients, understanding their challenges, and providing tailored robotic solutions, facilitating access even for small businesses.
Furthermore, ABB Robotics has partnered with Psyonic to incorporate their robotic prosthetics technology, Ability Hand, enhancing robots with human-like dexterity and agility through real-time manipulation data transfer. These global alliances and advanced technologies are opening up new avenues for ABB Robotics, empowering them to expand their leadership role beyond borders.
The shift towards digital twin-based robot design is poised to revolutionize industry practices by cutting delivery times in half. Data analysis revealing a correlation between higher robotization levels and lower unemployment rates in countries like South Korea underscores the potential benefits of embracing robotics. In Spain, there is room for growth in robot adoption rates to enhance flexibility, reduce costs, and boost industrial competitiveness.
Collaborative robotics and AI are driving the democratization of automation technology, making it accessible to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). These innovative solutions offer cost-effective investments with an average return on investment (ROI) of around one year, breaking down traditional economic barriers. The widespread adoption of robots extends beyond industrial settings, with applications in diverse fields like cruise ship cocktail preparation, ice cream service in Italy, perfume customization, and streamlining diagnostic processes in medical laboratories.
Francesc Bracero, a seasoned journalist specializing in technology and a key contributor to La Vanguardia, underscores the transformative potential of AI and robotics in reshaping industries and fostering economic growth.
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