ABB and Sevensense partner for autonomous mobile robots

ABB is has partnered with Switzerland-based startup Sevensense to enhance the former’s new autonomous mobile robotics (AMR) portfolio.

The partnership is another important step in ABB’s strategy to drive the next generation of flexible automation and expand ABB’s robotics and automation offerings, following its acquisition of ASTI Mobile Robotics, a global AMR manufacturer, announced in July 2021.

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The Sevensense navigation technology uses advanced computer vision and AI algorithms to create a 3D map that is more accurate than today’s 2D solutions, leading to superior navigation capabilities and more cost-effective solutions than laser scanner-based navigation.

An AMR equipped with 3D Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping (SLAM) technology will be able to accurately interpret its environment, identify a person, a pallet or another robot and autonomously make decisions to navigate around these obstacles. This level of intelligence will enable safer human-machine interactions and ensure material flows around factories and warehouses are safe and efficient for maximum flexibility and productivity.

“Building on our acquisition of ASTI Mobile Robotics earlier this year, our partnership with Sevensense is another milestone in our efforts to fully unlock flexible automation for our customers,” said Sami Atiya, President of ABB Robotics & Discrete Automation.

"Integrating Sevensense’s AI and 3D mapping technology with our AMR offering will help accelerate the replacement of today’s linear production lines with fully flexible networks."

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ABB will integrate Sevensense’s soft- and hardware technology into ABB’s AMR offering, with pilot customer projects planned in 2022.

Sevensense was selected to partner with ABB Robotics after participating in the 2021 ABB Robotics Innovation Challenge, which evaluated the performance of a range of Visual SLAM solutions from multiple global technology businesses.

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