In a stunning move aimed at redefining the landscape of China’s manufacturing industry, ABB has launched three groundbreaking robotic series. The debut took place on July 2, 2025, from their state-of-the-art Shanghai mega factory, reflecting ABB’s robust commitment to propel China’s advanced manufacturing sector into a new era.
Diverse Robotics for Diverse Needs
The three new series cater to industries with varying levels of automation demands. Lite+, a compact and user-friendly creation, significantly lowers the entry barrier for automation in small businesses. It is integrated with other ABB IRB models, ensuring flexible, end-to-end solutions, particularly in the electronics sector.
The PoWa series, dubbed the newfound star of collaborative robots (cobots), is engineered for speed and safe human-robot interaction. With industry-leading speeds of up to 5.8 meters per second, PoWa represents the next giant step for high-throughput applications like high-speed pick-and-place and machine tending operations. As stated in Gasgoo, its design reflects a strong emphasis on the unique needs of the Chinese market, making it instantly operational within an hour of setup.
Cutting-Edge Tools for Modern Manufacturing
Completing the lineup is the next-generation IRB 1200, a compact marvel tailored for high-speed precision tasks, offering a novel approach to space-efficient production cells without compromising on throughput or operational efficiency. These innovations, driven by ABB’s unified OmniCore™ controller platform, underscore their resolve to integrate AI, cloud computing, and edge technologies, crafting a more autonomous and intelligent robotic future.
ABB’s Commitment to China
President of ABB Robotics, Marc Segura, emphasized the significance of this launch: “ABB remains dedicated to enabling the future of robotics with innovations that align with China’s rapid growth in the collaborative robot market.” Echoing this sentiment, Henry Han, President of ABB Robotics in China, added, “With our new localized value chain, we’re truly bringing our global expertise to meet China’s specific manufacturing needs.”
Furthermore, ABB unveiled an AI-driven natural language teaching tool built for the PoWa platform, simplifying robotic training to an intuitive “see, say, do” method. This breakthrough promises to significantly enhance training efficiency and adaptability in diverse manufacturing environments, setting a new standard for robotic interaction.
A Strategic Move in a Thriving Market
China holds its position as the world’s largest robotics market, with over half of 2023’s global robot installations occurring here. ABB’s innovative stride promises to bolster these statistics, as over 90% of ABB robots sold in China are produced locally, exemplifying their strategic dedication to China’s ongoing shift towards smart, high-end manufacturing.
As robotics continue to reshape the global landscape, ABB stands at the forefront of this transformation. Their advancements not only echo a commitment to innovation but also highlight a deep-seated alignment with China’s manufacturing aspirations, heralding a new dawn for industries worldwide.