In a strategic move poised to reshape the landscape of industrial robotics, ABB has officially acquired Sevensense, a Swiss start-up renowned for its AI-enabled 3D vision navigation technology. Unveiled just today, this acquisition positions ABB at the forefront of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), ushering in a new era of intelligent agents and digital employees in industrial settings.
Sevensense, born as an ETH Zurich spin-off in 2018, has pioneered a revolutionary navigation technology. Its prowess lies in the ability to transform any mobile machine, including AMRs, forklifts, and cleaning machines, into autonomous robots with unparalleled capabilities. The fusion of artificial intelligence and 3-D vision empowers AMRs to make intelligent decisions and navigate complex, dynamic environments seamlessly.
At the heart of Sevensense’s innovation is Visual Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (Visual SLAM) technology. This allows manually guided robots to swiftly create independent maps, drastically reducing commissioning time from weeks to mere days. The real-time updating and sharing of maps across the entire fleet not only enhance scalability but also provide unmatched flexibility compared to traditional navigation technologies.
The significance of this acquisition reverberates across industries, with major players like Ford and Michelin ready to leverage the Visual SLAM technology. Ford plans to implement it at its US production site, while Michelin envisions its application in intralogistics at its factory in Spain. This adoption by key players underscores the transformative potential of ABB’s move in revolutionizing industrial automation.
Gregory Hitz, CEO of Sevensense, emphasized the milestone reached through this collaboration, stating, “This is a significant moment in our shared journey as we introduce our home-grown technology to a wider range of markets and sectors.” Marc Segura, President of ABB’s Robotics Division, echoed this sentiment, highlighting that the acquisition solidifies ABB’s position as a leader in next-generation AMRs.
In conclusion, ABB’s acquisition of Sevensense marks a pivotal step toward a more intelligent, autonomous industrial future. By integrating advanced navigation technology, ABB is not only streamlining operations but also propelling the industry into uncharted territory where AI-enabled robotics redefine the boundaries of efficiency and productivity.
Key Highlights:
- Strategic Acquisition: ABB, a global leader in industrial technology, has strategically acquired Swiss start-up Sevensense, known for its AI-enabled 3D vision navigation technology for autonomous mobile robots (AMRs).
- Revolutionary Navigation Technology: Sevensense’s innovative technology transforms any mobile machine, including AMRs, forklifts, and cleaning machines, into autonomous robots with unprecedented capabilities by combining artificial intelligence and 3-D vision.
- Visual SLAM Technology: A standout feature of Sevensense’s technology is Visual Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (Visual SLAM), allowing manually guided robots to create independent maps, reducing commissioning time from weeks to days and enabling real-time updates across the fleet.
- Industry Endorsements: Major industry players such as Ford and Michelin are set to adopt Sevensense’s Visual SLAM technology. Ford plans to implement it at its US production site, and Michelin aims to leverage it for intralogistics at its factory in Spain.
- Instant Scalability and Flexibility: The integration of Sevensense’s technology enables instant scalability without interrupting operations, providing greater flexibility compared to other navigation technologies.
- Leadership Position: With this acquisition, ABB positions itself as a leader in next-generation AMRs, offering an integrated portfolio covering robots and machine automation solutions, managed by value-creating software.
- Shared Vision: The CEOs of both companies express enthusiasm about the collaboration, with Gregory Hitz of Sevensense highlighting the significance of introducing their technology to a broader range of markets, and Marc Segura, President of ABB’s Robotics Division, emphasizing the shared journey in redefining the limits of AI-enabled robotics.
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