In Kangqiao, Shanghai, China, ABB formally opened its state-of-the-art, fully automated and adaptive robotics plant. The 67,000 sqm manufacturing and research facility, in which ABB invested $150 million (RMB 1.1 billion), will use its digital and automation technologies to produce next-generation robots, reinforcing its position as a leader in robotics and automation in China.
Sami Atiya, president of ABB Robotics and Discrete Automation, said: “The commissioning of our new mega-plant is another milestone in helping our customers expand sustainably, manage labour shortages and create high-value jobs in a new era of automation. The facility, according to the company, will help alleviate labour shortages and create high-value employment in a new era of automation.
According to ABB, the robot market will grow from $80 billion today to $130 billion by 2025. China, the world’s largest robotics market, accounted for 51% of global robot installations in 2021 and surpassed the milestone of one million robot units in operation in the same year.
The facility merges the real and digital elements, creating a digital manufacturing environment that leverages virtual production organisation and management technologies to boost productivity through data collection and analysis.
Instead of using conventional, fixed assembly lines, the flexible, modular production cells are digitally connected and networked, supported by intelligent, autonomous mobile robots. Robots equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) perform labour-intensive work such as screwing, assembly and material handling, freeing up humans for more fulfilling jobs.
Marc Segura, president of ABB Robotics, said the manufacturing and R&D centre “brings to life our vision of the factory of the future”, where flexible automation makes production and production logistics more robust, faster and more efficient. In the world’s largest robotics market. In our new R&D facility we will co-create innovative solutions with companies to prepare them for a new era of automation.
The robots will be smarter, more flexible, safer and easier to use thanks to new advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI), digitisation and software developed at the site’s 8,000m2 R&D centre. These innovations include autonomous mobility, digital twins, machine vision and low-code programming software. These advances, created in ABB’s “open lab” in collaboration with partners and customers, will open up new opportunities for flexible automation in sectors such as new energy vehicles (NEVs), logistics, healthcare and food and beverage. To make robots smarter, more flexible and safer, the site’s R&D centre will develop new advances in artificial intelligence (AI), digitalisation and software.
To address the country’s growing need for automation, ABB Robotics has opened a new mega-factory in China. The company has supported customers in all industries, including automotive, electronics, metalworking, plastics and logistics. Wearable electronics, foodservice, healthcare, e-commerce, retail and service robotics are just a few examples of the new segments.
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