State-of-the-art doesn’t begin to describe ABB’s revamped robotics and training facility in Auburn Hills, MI. The upgraded factory serves as a U.S. hub for developing AI-enabled technology helping businesses respond to labor shortages, global uncertainty and sustainable manufacturing. 

The building hints at the future of robotic and automation technologies while also celebrating ABB’s storied manufacturing history with demonstration displays highlighting the first robot in the world to be controlled by an electric microcomputer—the IRB 6—as well as the YuMi collaborative robot, the first cobot to feature a dual arm design.  

“Most of our demos here on the floor are collaborative,” said Doug Hixon, robotic applications manager, Robotics Business Unit, ABB. “One, because it’s still one the hottest topics to talk about and two, we don’t have to have them in boxes or cages.”

A robot refurbishing display showed what ABB can do with an old foundry robot by restoring the equipment to good-as-new. Affectionately called “Harvey,” the robot was named after Batman nemesis “Two-Face, Harvey Dent.”

This refurbished foundry robot is affectionately called "Harvey" for its resemblance to Two Face Harvey Dent. 

Another growing area of robotic expansion is taking place in packaging and logistics. 

“The idea in larger logistic systems is connectivity via PCs. Therefore, the robot is pretty much just taking direct commands. This example uses AI to distinguish objects and determine how to pick them up. The robot uses camera systems to identify objects and put them in the correct bins,” Hixon said. “All of this is being run on a webpage and we can call up on the screen how these different applications interconnect with each other.”

With a 30 percent increase in facility space, the new ABB facility showcases its leading hardware and software solutions, pioneering the latest digital and AI-powered automation technologies with customers, and developing and manufacturing next generation robots. 

The expanded facility supports ABB Robotics’ specialist centers including its Packaging and Logistics hub in Atlanta, Georgia; its Life Sciences and Healthcare hub at the Texas Medical Center in Houston, Texas; and AI Research Lab in San Jose, California. Complete with a new training center, the facility will educate over 3,000 workers and students each year, equipping them with the skills to thrive in a new era of AI-powered automation. 

The mix/match placement of cobots and standard robotic manufacturing cells in the Auburn Hills facility hints at how future manufacturing floors will operate—more robots, less clutter, clean, green and ultimately efficient. The greatest difference comes down to floor space and wiring; there’s much more of the former and less of the latter.

The OmniCore robotic controller platform, for example, enables motion, force, and sensor applications all out of a single unified system. OmniCore delivers the full value provided by the ABB Robotics hardware and software portfolio in any combination. OmniCore delivers robust motion control and safety while integrating top-tier cyber security, connectivity, and integrated sensor and AI processing, according to Ray Li, technology applications manager, Automotive, Robotics Business Unit. 

“You can set up the firewalls, the authorizations, accessibility, there’s a cybersecurity element within the controller, everything is available in this single, compact platform. People can login to do any necessary diagnostics very quickly. This is the latest technology we’re highlighting in the IoT space,” Li added.    

Throughout the tour, I was reminded of ABB’s commitment to both the automotive and industrial market segments here in Michigan as well as the United States and their focus on training/developing skilled workers in automation and robotics. 

“Through our expanded facility, partner ecosystem and comprehensive AI-enabled product portfolio, we are pushing the boundaries of technology to drive performance to new levels,” said John Bubnikovich, ABB United States Robotics Division President. “We look forward to increasing support for our customers, to expanding our role as an employer and to energizing the transformation of society and industry to achieve a more productive, sustainable future.”  

abb.com

Additional Material:

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