ABB acquires start-up ETH and wants to make industrial robots smarter

The ABB Group is taking a technological step forward in the application of autonomous mobile robots. In the future, the robots used in factories will no longer move along pre-programmed routes, but will orient themselves independently in space.

This is made possible by the technology of the ETH start-up Sevensense. ABB will now fully take over this company, including its 35 employees, it was announced on Thursday.

At the end of 2021, the technology group headquartered in Zurich already had a minority stake in the developer of autonomous mobile robots (AMR) accepted.

What is special about the technology?

Sevensense is a specialist in AI-powered 3D vision navigation technology for autonomous mobile robots (AMR).

Together with ABB, the company has developed technology that allows the robots to get to know their environment better and better. In the future, the routes will no longer have to be programmed and controlled using sensors on the walls.

Equipped with image processing technology and AI, each mobile robot scans a specific part of the building. The fields of view of all robots are combined into a complete map, allowing the AMR to work autonomously even in rapidly changing environments. The robots can distinguish between moving elements such as a box and fixed elements such as a wall and can also recognize people.

This will enable mobile robots, one of the fastest growing robotics segments, to achieve the highest levels of speed, precision and autonomy, according to ABB. By combining AI and 3D image processing, AMRs can make intelligent decisions and work in dynamic environments.

Why is this important for the economy?

ABB now wants to integrate Sevensense’s technology into its own AMR portfolio. The transaction is an important step towards the vision of a work environment in which AI-enabled robots support people.

ABB sees great future potential here. “We are on the verge of a breakthrough in this sector,” said Sami Atiya, head of the Robotics & Manufacturing Automation division, during a media event at ETH in Zurich.

ABB estimates a compound annual growth rate of 20 percent for the mobile robot market through 2026. The global market volume will develop from the current $5.5 billion to $9.5 billion. ABB mentions logistics, the automotive and the food industry as typical application areas.

It is still unclear how much of this pie will go to ABB. Atiya would not express specific sales expectations to AWP, but said: “This area will be relevant for us in the coming years.”

That this is not just a dream of the future that must first be filled with content is evident from statements by Marc Segura, head of the ABB Robotics division. Accordingly will The first of these robots have already been used in Michelin and Ford factories.

Ford has requested about 300 such next-generation robots for a major electric vehicle manufacturing facility in the U.S., Segura said. These will be delivered gradually.

Sources

(dsc/sda/awp)