Industry Briefing
A single destination for timely, editor-curated robotics news from around the world.
ABB Robotics appoints new cluster manager for the DACH region.
ABB Robotics has appointed Marc-Oliver Nandy as the new Cluster Manager for the DACH region, which includes Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. This strategic move aims to strengthen ABB's presence and operational efficiency in these key markets. Nandy's extensive experience in the robotics sector is expected to drive growth and innovation within the company. The announcement comes as ABB Robotics continues to expand its influence in the automation industry, responding to increasing demand for advanced robotic solutions.
Allgemein Anwendungen & Lösungen
ABB and Salzburg researchers patent AI system to cut energy use in industrial robots
Salzburg University of Applied Sciences has partnered with ABB’s Machine Automation Division, B&R, to enhance energy efficiency in industrial automation through the application of artificial intelligence. This collaboration is centered at the Josef Ressel Center for Intelligent and Secure Industrial Automation (JRZ ISIA), where the two entities aim to translate cutting-edge research into viable solutions for industrial drive systems. By leveraging AI technologies, the initiative seeks to optimize energy consumption and improve operational efficiency in manufacturing processes, addressing the growing demand for sustainable industrial practices.
Industrial robots News abb ai in manufacturing AI optimization automation news
Why robotic arms are now being integrated with CNC machines
Leading suppliers in the manufacturing sector are enhancing the flexibility of robotic CNC machine tending through innovative software and integration solutions. This development marks a significant shift in how robotic arms are being utilized alongside CNC machines, allowing for improved efficiency and adaptability in production processes. As industries increasingly seek automation to streamline operations and reduce labor costs, the integration of advanced robotics is becoming a crucial component in modern manufacturing. The ongoing advancements in technology are expected to further transform the landscape of CNC machining, making it more accessible and effective for various applications.
6-Axis Arms / Manipulators Assembly Automation Automotive Cobot Arms
Public Safety Drone Review June 2, 2026: Michelle Duquette of 3 MAD Air on the Future of Integrated Airspace
On June 2, 2026, at 3 PM EST, DRONELIFE and DRONERESPONDERS will host the latest edition of the Public Safety Drone Review, a free webcast aimed at discussing advancements in drone technology for public safety. The event will feature insights from DRONELIFE Editor in Chief Miriam McNabb, DRONERESPONDERS Director Charles Werner, and aviation expert Mike O’Shea. A key highlight will be a presentation by Michelle Duquette of 3 MAD Air, who will explore the future of integrated airspace and its implications for public safety operations. This monthly series aims to educate and inform stakeholders about the evolving role of drones in enhancing safety and efficiency in various sectors. Interested participants can register for the webcast through the provided link.
Drone News Feeds News Podcast Public Safety Selected – Safety and Security 3 MAD Air
UniStrong Instruments: 15 Years Supplying ABB, Now Racing to Global Robot Sensor Dominance
UniStrong Instruments, a long-standing supplier to ABB for 15 years, has recently achieved UL certification, enhancing its competitive edge in the global robot force-torque sensor market. This certification comes at a crucial time as the company seeks to establish a stronger presence against international competitors in the rapidly evolving industrial manufacturing sector. With this strategic move, UniStrong aims to leverage its established relationship with ABB and its newly acquired certification to expand its market reach and innovate within the industry.
Robotics
5/17/2026: Betting on War; The Knowledge; Christopher Nolan
In a recent analysis, experts have noted that prediction markets are increasingly placing bets on the likelihood of war, challenging conventional odds and raising concerns about global stability. This trend reflects a growing unease among investors and analysts regarding geopolitical tensions and potential conflicts. Meanwhile, in London, taxi drivers are expressing skepticism about the rise of robotaxis, voicing concerns over safety, job security, and the reliability of autonomous vehicles. The city's iconic cabbies have long been a staple of urban transport, and their apprehension highlights the broader debate surrounding the integration of technology in public transportation. In a separate development, acclaimed filmmaker Christopher Nolan recently participated in an interview with "60 Minutes," where he discussed his creative process, the challenges of filmmaking, and his latest projects. Nolan's insights provide a glimpse into the mind of one of the industry's most influential directors, as he reflects on the evolving landscape of cinema and storytelling. These stories collectively underscore the intersections of technology, societal change, and the arts, illustrating the diverse challenges and opportunities facing contemporary society.
London's cabbies memorize 25,000 streets. But will robotaxis overtake them?
London's iconic black cab drivers, known for their extensive knowledge of the city's streets, are facing a new challenge as several companies work to introduce robotaxis to the capital. This technological shift comes as part of an ongoing effort to modernize urban transportation and improve efficiency. The testing of these autonomous vehicles is currently underway, with the aim of integrating them into London’s busy streets by late 2023. The push for robotaxis is driven by advancements in artificial intelligence and the growing demand for innovative transport solutions that can alleviate congestion and reduce emissions. As these companies navigate regulatory hurdles and public acceptance, the future of traditional taxi services hangs in the balance, prompting drivers to adapt to the evolving landscape of urban mobility.
London cabbies not ready to hand over their keys to AI-powered, autonomous taxis
London's iconic black cab drivers, known for their extensive knowledge of the city's streets, are facing new competition as several companies introduce robotaxis to the urban landscape. This shift in transportation technology is occurring amid ongoing advancements in autonomous vehicle capabilities. As these companies work to integrate robotaxis into London’s busy streets, traditional cab drivers are being tested not only on their navigation skills but also on how they adapt to the evolving transportation environment. The push for robotaxis is driven by a desire to enhance urban mobility and reduce congestion, prompting a significant transformation in the way residents and visitors may choose to travel around the city. The introduction of these autonomous vehicles marks a pivotal moment in London's transportation history, raising questions about the future role of human drivers in a rapidly changing industry.
Cybersecurity Is ‘Top Priority’ for Auto Manufacturers, ABB Survey Reports
Automotive manufacturers are increasingly prioritizing cybersecurity, viewing it as a critical concern that surpasses the importance of cost reduction among all supplier tiers. This shift in focus reflects the industry's recognition of the growing threats posed by cyberattacks, which can compromise vehicle safety and consumer trust. As manufacturers navigate the complexities of modern vehicle technology, including connectivity and automation, they are investing more resources into enhancing their cybersecurity measures. This trend has emerged in recent months, highlighting the urgent need for robust security protocols in an era where vehicles are becoming more integrated with digital systems. The commitment to cybersecurity is reshaping industry standards and practices, ensuring that safety remains paramount as the automotive landscape evolves.
Business Intelligence
ABB Robotics launches PickMaster Lite to simplify & accelerate robotic picking
ABB Robotics has introduced PickMaster® Lite, a simplified version of its robotic picking software, aimed at packaging OEMs and system integrators. Launched on May 5, 2026, this new software is designed to accelerate the development of high-speed, vision-guided robotic picking solutions. By offering essential features for common picking tasks, PickMaster Lite reduces engineering efforts by 30% and commissioning time by 25%, while ensuring reliable performance. The motivation behind this launch stems from the increasing demand for automation in manufacturing, driven by labor shortages and consumer expectations for personalized products. Craig McDonnell, Business Line Managing Director at ABB Robotics, emphasized the need for quick and reliable automation solutions to enhance production flexibility. PickMaster Lite employs an intuitive, task-based interface with pre-configured templates, eliminating the need for specialized programming skills. It integrates seamlessly with existing machine control architectures, allowing for easy communication with PLC and HMI systems. This capability enables machine builders to manage key functions directly through their preferred control systems, thus minimizing development risks. The software is particularly suited for high-volume, cost-sensitive applications in sectors such as consumer goods, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, electronics, and e-commerce. As part of the broader PickMaster family, it offers a scalable solution that can evolve alongside production needs, with options for more advanced functionalities through PickMaster and PickMaster Twin. For additional details, interested parties can visit ABB's robotics website.
ABB Robotics launches OmniVance autonomous surface finishing cell
ABB Robotics has introduced its latest innovation, the OmniVance Collaborative Surface Finishing Cell, designed to automate repetitive sanding and polishing tasks. This new technology aims to enhance efficiency and precision in manufacturing processes, addressing the growing demand for automation in surface finishing applications. The launch of the OmniVance cell reflects ABB's commitment to advancing robotics solutions that improve productivity and reduce labor costs in various industries. By integrating advanced robotics with collaborative features, the OmniVance cell allows for seamless interaction between human workers and machines, ultimately streamlining operations and increasing output.
Artificial Intelligence Automotive Cobot Arms Collaborative Robots Manufacturing Markets / Industries
Top 10 robotics stories of April 2026
In April 2026, several leading robotics companies achieved significant technical advancements, marking a pivotal month in the industry. These milestones not only showcased the rapid evolution of robotics technology but also attracted substantial investments, with firms securing large funding rounds to support their innovative projects. Additionally, the competitive landscape intensified as these companies engaged in patent disputes, highlighting the ongoing struggle for intellectual property rights in the rapidly growing sector. This combination of technological progress, financial backing, and legal challenges underscores the dynamic nature of the robotics field as it continues to evolve and expand.
Artificial Intelligence Artificial Intelligence / Cognition Automation Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) Collaborative Robots Design / Development
Gradient-based planning for world models at longer horizons
A team of researchers, including Mike Rabbat, Aditi Krishnapriyan, Yann LeCun, and Amir Bar, has introduced GRASP, a new gradient-based planning method designed for learned dynamics in world models. This innovative approach addresses the challenges of long-horizon planning, which has proven to be fragile and inefficient with existing models. GRASP enhances planning by lifting trajectories into virtual states, allowing for parallel optimization across time, and incorporating stochastic elements to facilitate exploration. The development of GRASP comes in response to the limitations of current world models, which, despite their ability to predict complex sequences in high-dimensional spaces, struggle with optimization and can easily fall into local minima. The researchers emphasize that while powerful predictive models exist, effective control and planning remain significant hurdles. By utilizing a collocation-based approach, GRASP optimizes both actions and states, improving computational efficiency and robustness against adversarial vulnerabilities inherent in state gradients. The method also introduces exploration through Gaussian noise in state updates, enhancing the ability to navigate complex planning landscapes. Preliminary results indicate that GRASP significantly outperforms traditional methods in success rates and time efficiency for long-horizon planning tasks. The researchers view GRASP as a foundational step towards more advanced world model planners, with future work aimed at integrating the method into reinforcement learning systems and exploring diffusion-based world models. The full details of the study can be found in their published paper.
India’s Snabbit closes $56M round as investor interest in on-demand home services heats up
Snabbit, a rapidly growing service provider, has significantly increased its operational capacity, now processing over 40,000 jobs daily. This expansion is part of the company's strategic move to broaden its reach across various cities and enhance its service offerings. The initiative has not only allowed Snabbit to serve a larger customer base but has also led to substantial cost reductions, enabling the company to operate more efficiently. As of October 2023, Snabbit continues to capitalize on its growth trajectory, positioning itself as a competitive player in the market.
Startups Commerce lightspeed venture partners Snabbit Susquehanna Venture Capital Mirae Asset Venture Investments
Iran Foreign Minister to Meet Putin With US Talks at Stalemate
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visited Russia on Monday to engage in discussions with President Vladimir Putin. This meeting comes amid stalled negotiations with the United States aimed at resolving an ongoing eight-week conflict. The talks, which have yet to yield any progress, highlight the complexities of international diplomacy surrounding the situation. Araghchi's visit underscores Iran's efforts to seek support and potentially explore alternative avenues for conflict resolution as tensions remain high.
India’s Snabbit seeks fresh funding at a $400M valuation, sources say
Snabbit, a rapidly growing company, achieved a significant milestone by surpassing one million completed jobs in March. This accomplishment comes at a time of increasing interest from investors, highlighting the company's expanding influence in its sector. The surge in job completions reflects Snabbit's effective strategies and operational efficiency, which have attracted attention and support from the investment community. As the company continues to scale, it aims to leverage this momentum to further enhance its market position and drive future growth.
Startups Venture FJ Labs lightspeed venture partners Mirae Asset Venture Investment Snabbit
ABB Robotics launches PoWa cobot family targeting industrial tasks
ABB Robotics has introduced its new PoWa family of collaborative robots (cobots), aiming to fill a significant gap in the market between traditional cobots. This launch addresses the growing demand for automation in industrial tasks, providing enhanced capabilities for various applications. The PoWa series is designed to improve efficiency and productivity in manufacturing environments, responding to the evolving needs of the industry. By leveraging advanced technology, ABB Robotics seeks to offer solutions that facilitate seamless human-robot collaboration, ultimately driving innovation in the sector.
Arms / Manipulators Collaborative Robots News Robots / Platforms Technologies abb robotics
ABB Robotics launches high-speed PoWa cobot family
ABB Robotics has launched its new PoWa™ cobot family, designed to enhance industrial automation by combining high-speed performance with higher payload capacities. Announced on April 22, 2026, this launch aims to address the growing demand for collaborative robots (cobots) among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as well as large corporations, as the global market for collaborative robotics is projected to grow by 20 percent annually until 2028. The PoWa cobots, which can handle payloads ranging from 7kg to 30kg and achieve top speeds of 5.8 m/s, fill a crucial gap in the market by offering industrial-grade capabilities in a compact design. This makes them suitable for various applications, including machine tending, palletizing, screwdriving, and arc welding. The cobots are powered by the ABB OmniCore™ controller platform, ensuring superior motion control and precision, and are compatible with ABB’s suite of AI-powered software tools for easy programming and deployment. Andrea Cassoni, Head of Collaborative Robots at ABB Robotics, emphasized that the PoWa family meets the needs of manufacturers looking for efficient automation solutions without the complexity of traditional industrial robots. With user-friendly features, including programmable buttons and no-code programming, the PoWa cobots can be operational within an hour, enabling manufacturers to automate processes quickly and effectively. This launch reflects ABB Robotics' commitment to advancing the capabilities of collaborative robots, making them faster, safer, and more versatile for a wide range of industrial applications.
Report finds that while 500k+ robots were installed last year, partner layer is still hard to map
A recent report highlights the challenges in identifying integrator partners within the robotics industry, despite the clear identification of leading vendors and regions. Georg Stieler, a key figure in the analysis, noted that while over 500,000 robots were installed globally last year, the complexity of mapping the partner layer remains a significant hurdle. This underscores the evolving landscape of robotics, where collaboration between manufacturers and integrators is crucial for advancing technology and market penetration. The findings emphasize the need for improved strategies to navigate the intricate network of partnerships that support the robotics sector's growth.
Analysis Assembly Automotive China Collaborative Robots Industrial Robots
ARA spot sprayer by Ecorobotix receives new algorithms
Ecorobotix, a Swiss manufacturer, has enhanced its ARA spot sprayer with advanced algorithms, enabling the machine to recognize additional crops, including cauliflower, broccoli, and both red and white cabbage. This upgrade reflects the company's commitment to improving agricultural technology and precision farming. The new capabilities are expected to optimize crop management and pesticide application, ultimately promoting sustainable farming practices. The enhancements were announced in October 2023, showcasing Ecorobotix's ongoing innovation in the agricultural sector.
Smart farming algorithms crop scouting precision agriculture spot spraying weed control
ABB vs Epson vs Stäubli : quel robot industriel choisir selon votre production ?
Choosing an industrial robot involves more than just brand preference or budget considerations; it significantly impacts a company's productivity, quality, flexibility, and competitiveness. In a global market dominated by a few key players, ABB, Epson, and Stäubli frequently emerge as top contenders in automation projects. This analysis highlights the critical factors businesses should consider when selecting the right industrial robot to meet their production needs. The insights are detailed in an article titled "ABB vs Epson vs Stäubli: Which Industrial Robot to Choose Based on Your Production?" published by Robot Magazine.
À la une Actualités IA Industriel Robotique ABB
Siemens et la robotique : comment le géant allemand redéfinit l’usine intelligente
Siemens, the German conglomerate established in 1847, is playing a crucial yet often overlooked role in the transformation of industrial factories, particularly in the realm of robotics. While companies like ABB, FANUC, and KUKA are well-known for manufacturing industrial robots, Siemens focuses on redefining smart factories through its innovative technologies. The company does not produce robots directly but contributes significantly to the automation and efficiency of manufacturing processes. This shift towards smarter, more integrated factory systems is reshaping the landscape of industrial robotics, highlighting Siemens' influence in an area typically dominated by traditional robot manufacturers. The insights into Siemens' impact on industrial robotics were discussed in a recent article featured in Robot Magazine.
À la une Actualités IA Industriel Robotique automatisation industrielle.
ABB Robotics Taps NVIDIA Omniverse to Deliver Industrial‑Grade Physical AI at Scale
ABB Robotics and NVIDIA have formed a groundbreaking partnership aimed at revolutionizing manufacturing through the integration of advanced artificial intelligence. Announced today, this collaboration will incorporate NVIDIA's Omniverse libraries into ABB's RobotStudio programming and simulation suite, enhancing the capabilities of industrial robots. This integration is designed to facilitate the deployment of industrial-grade AI on factory floors, allowing for more efficient and intelligent automation processes. By leveraging NVIDIA's cutting-edge technology, ABB aims to improve operational efficiency and productivity in manufacturing environments. The partnership signifies a significant step towards the future of smart factories, where AI-driven robotics can adapt and respond to complex manufacturing challenges in real-time.
SoftBank’s $5.4B ABB Robotics Deal: Why IT Service Providers Should Treat Robotics as a Core Practice
As the fields of autonomy and embodied intelligence continue to advance, IT service providers are likely to shift their roles within the industry. Rather than engaging in every layer of service delivery, companies that cultivate specialized skills in areas such as advisory, integration, or managed operations will find themselves in a stronger position to meet the increasing demand. This evolution reflects a broader trend in the technology sector, where focused expertise is becoming essential for success. As organizations adapt to these changes, the ability to offer targeted solutions will be crucial in navigating the complexities of the modern IT landscape.
