ABB Group
Smart Solutions for a Smooth Logistics Flow

Since the advent of e-commerce, getting goods to the customer’s door or stores from the factories or warehouses has become a mammoth task for logistics companies. Adding to this are a variety of external factors like shortage of labour, COVID-19, and even the recent mandates on reduced carbon footprint that have recently started altering human’s ability to work. These external factors have accelerated the need for automated robotic systems and equipment beyond the traditional manufacturing or warehousing environments. Leveraging robotics in logistics cuts around 70 percent of warehouse labour costs and helps businesses function day and night with minimal costs.

Interestingly, this is precisely what ABB helps its clients achieve. With a history of excellence stretching back more than 130 years, ABB is a pioneer in the field of robotics, providing innovative solutions for a variety of industries, from automotive and electronics to logistics. And as a leading global technology company, ABB is pushing the envelope of advanced robotics in logistics by integrating its electrification and robotics, automation, and motion portfolios. Under the leadership of CEO Bjorn Rosengren, ABB is currently offering a comprehensive range of logistics automation solutions to meet some of the greatest challenges like accurate order picking, fast singling out of individual packages and efficient handling of the most complex pallet loads.

ABB’s robotic solutions include both robots and cobots (collaborative robots) in a diverse portfolio, including but not limited to GoFaTM, SWIFTITM, and YuMi families of robotic solutions. These robots and cobots can perform a variety of tasks, from machine tending and assembly to testing and packaging in manufacturing plants, laboratories, logistics hubs, workshops, or small production facilities.

ABB’s robotic solutions include both robots and cobots (collaborative robots) in a diverse portfolio, including but not limited to GoFaTM, SWIFTITM, and YuMi® families of robotic solutions

Advanced safety systems enable them to work with humans in any situation. This means that even low-automation industries can benefit from automation because they are easy to use and can be placed to use within minutes of installation without requiring any special training.

Going the extra mile, ABB offers an extensive range of digital tools and services to make robot deployment even easier for its clients. One core element of this support suite is the offline programming tool RobotStudio—that allows a complete robot system to be created, simulated and tested in a 3D environment without having to interrupt the actual production line. The key element of the ABB RobotStudio software is the Augmented Reality (AR) viewer that can be used to test each cell model for its intended purpose. It provides a visual impression of the size and scale of a robot or robot cell, enabling users to see if and how it can be fitted into an existing production plant. Using a smartphone or tablet, the model can be embedded into the real-life production environment, scaled and viewed from different angles. This reduces project times and helps clients to optimise cell design before building the physical counterpart.

What’s more? To maximise productivity and minimise downtimes, ABB's has recently introduced a new condition-based maintenance (CBM) service, which would allow robot and cobot users to create a preventive maintenance plan for individual robots or entire robot fleets based on real-time operating data. This helps users to better plan their budgets and make sure that the required resources are available to carry out any necessary work.

Moving Forward, ABB is now looking at an ambitious future. Besides, ABB is aiming for the new generation of collaborative robots, which are easy to install and operate, that pave the way to robotics for these with digital solutions providing enhanced transparency and productivity. “In the coming few months, ABB is planning to add more unique technology and a digital solutions portfolio to enhance its productivity,” concludes Rosengren.