ABB has expanded its portfolio of robotic solutions for logistics and e-commerce supply chains with the introduction of two new AI-powered functional modules in its Item Picking family. Equipped with AI-based vision technology developed by ABB, the Fashion Inductor and Parcel Inductor modules address critical processes such as item selection and induction into sorters.
The expansion of e-commerce is generating an annual increase of up to 9% in package volume, requiring greater speed and accuracy in handling unknown and random items. Additionally, 37% of global supply chain and logistics companies face significant labor shortages. ABB’s new modules respond to these challenges by enabling companies to increase productivity and reduce errors through comprehensive process automation.
Both modules use ABB‘s AI-based vision technology to handle unknown and randomly arranged items in unstructured environments, ensuring smooth processing in high-volume, diverse logistics operations. They offer a selection accuracy of over 99.5%, even in dynamic environments where the sizes, shapes, and types of item packaging vary daily. Additionally, the AI system can be trained to detect and reject items unsuitable for induction, such as spherical or cylindrical products, ensuring efficient and reliable operations.
The Robotic Fashion Inductor allows for the singulation and induction of garments and accessories in plastic bags at speeds of up to 1,300 picks per hour. Meanwhile, the Robotic Parcel Inductor is designed for the singulation and induction of small packages, processing boxes, bags, envelopes, and parcels at speeds of up to 1,500 picks per hour in postal and parcel logistics centers. Integration with ABB‘s motion planning software enables automatic collision-free trajectory planning once the AI-based vision system has identified each item.
These functional modules are designed for quick implementation, come pre-integrated, and minimize startup time, operational errors, and configuration complexity, with possible startup in as little as one week. Using ABB‘s Application Control Platform (ACP), various components, including robots, grippers, and cameras, can be seamlessly integrated through a single computer and user interface. By addressing core challenges such as detection, gripping, and motion control through pre-trained AI models, vision, proven robotic performance, and an integrated control platform, the functional modules reduce time and costs and eliminate research and development risks for system integrators in building automated picking solutions.
As a single provider, ABB offers comprehensive support, from dedicated application software and robotic hardware to global after-sales service, ensuring smooth implementation and continuous reliability. This strategy eliminates the complexity of coordinating multiple suppliers and facilitates the adoption of advanced robotic solutions in the fashion and logistics industries.
With this expansion of its Item Picking family, ABB reaffirms its commitment to innovation and efficiency improvement in key sectors, offering solutions that meet current market demands and strengthen companies’ competitiveness in an increasingly automated and demanding environment.
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