In 2019 ABB broke ground for its most advanced and flexible robotics Factory of the Future and R&D facility in Shanghai, aiming to support the advancement of Shanghai's high-end manufacturing, the construction of a science and technology innovation center, and the promotion of the city's growth and core competitiveness. ABB’ robotics factory will be the most advanced, automated and flexible factory in the robotics industry worldwide, utilizing the latest manufacturing processes and the largest R&D, production and application base of robotics in China.
Production in the highly automated facility will be based on automation cells, with robots moving from station to station, enabling greater customization and more flexibility than in traditional, linear production systems. Automated guided vehicles (AGVs) will deliver parts to the production robots just in time, while the latest collaborative technologies will ensure that humans and robots can work safely side by side, bringing greater flexibility and agility to production processes and combining the advantages of robots with the unique capabilities of people. A digital twin will provide everyone from managers and engineers to operators and maintenance teams data insights and machine learning power to improve performance and maximize productivity. ABB will use a machine learning-based system to inspect robots as they are being assembled, to ensure the highest quality standards.
The facility will also host a world-class research and development center, which will accelerate innovations in robotics and industrial artificial intelligence (AI). The center will serve as an open innovation hub where ABB closely collaborates with its customers to co-develop automation solutions tailored to individual needs. ABB’s robotics factory of the future is expected to open in early 2021, expanding over an area of 67,000 m2 and representing an $150 million investment.
