Recently, the global president of ABB’s robotics business unit, Marcus Scomb, outlined the three major drivers of robotic artificial intelligence solutions in 2024, and said that ABB will also continue to explore new areas not previously covered by robot automation technology.
Marcus Scone, global president of ABB’s robotics business unit, said that the key role of artificial intelligence will become more prominent in the coming year. From mobile robots and cobots to enabling new robotic applications for new fields and creating new opportunities for people to learn and grow, these new frontiers of artificial intelligence are redefining the future of industrial robotics.
Trend 1
Artificial intelligence will push robot applications to a new level of autonomy
ABB autonomous mobile robot using VSLAM navigation technology
Rapid advances in the field of artificial intelligence are redefining what is possible with industrial robots. Artificial intelligence is improving robots’ capabilities in everything from picking and placing, to mapping and navigation in dynamic environments. From mobile robots to collaborative robots and more, AI is giving robots unprecedented speed, precision and load capacity, enabling them to take on more tasks in flexible production environments such as factories, warehouses, logistics centers and laboratories.
Ai-enabled mobile robots could transform industries such as discrete manufacturing, logistics, and laboratories. For example, robots equipped with ABB’s new 3D Vision Synchronous Positioning and Map Building technology (VSLAM) have advanced mapping and navigation capabilities that allow for a higher level of autonomy while significantly reducing the infrastructure required for guiding mobile robots of the previous generation. This paves the way for a shift from traditional linear production lines to dynamic production networks, creating significant efficiency gains and taking on more boring, dirty, and dangerous tasks, enabling workers to do more valuable work.
— Marcel Con
Trend 2
Artificial intelligence will lead robots into new areas
ABB’s 3DQI inspection unit is capable of detecting defects less than half the diameter of a human hair
Ai-enabled robots are gradually crossing the boundaries of manufacturing and moving into a wider world. Looking ahead to 2024, these technologies are expected to shine in dynamic environments such as healthcare, life sciences and retail, greatly improving industry efficiency. Another example is the construction industry, where AI-powered robots can not only substantially increase productivity, but also enhance construction safety and drive sustainable construction practices, while boosting growth.
The construction industry is facing many challenges, such as worker shortages, safety issues and productivity bottlenecks, and AI robots provide innovative solutions to solve these problems and create real value. Through the strong recognition and decision-making capabilities enabled by artificial intelligence technology, together with the technological progress of collaborative robots, robots can safely work side by side with people. These not only enable robots to complete critical tasks such as bricklaying, modular assembly and 3D printing with greater precision and speed, but also reduce carbon emissions generated by on-site concrete mixing, reducing the need to transport materials over long distances and on-site assembly, thereby driving sustainable development in the construction industry.
— Marcel Con
Trend 3
Artificial intelligence and robot collaboration bring new opportunities for education
ABB artificial intelligence natural language programming instruction execution station
Advances in artificial intelligence and robotics are also important in the field of education and training. These technologies not only help bridge the automation skills gap, but also make robots more accessible to more people and businesses. The advent of artificial intelligence has made programming accessible, through guided programming or natural language. This change has shifted the focus of education from programming skills to how robots can help humans more effectively. This shift makes robots more approachable and also opens up access to robots to a wider population, bringing new job prospects while helping to alleviate current labor and skills shortages.
For a long time, the lack of skilled personnel with programming and robotics knowledge has been a major obstacle to the popularization of robotic automation, especially in small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises. But with the rapid development of generative artificial intelligence, the barriers to automation are gradually lowering, and the educational focus is expanding to a wider range of fields beyond programming. The development of natural language programming supported by artificial intelligence, which allows workers to direct robots to complete tasks through verbal commands, will usher in a new era of human-computer interaction.
Since the introduction of the IRB 6, the world’s first commercially available all-electric robot, in 1974, the innovation story of ABB robotics has been going on for 50 years. Today, ABB is opening a new chapter in the development of robots powered by artificial intelligence. For 50 years, ABB has been innovating to help customers improve productivity, efficiency and sustainability through robotic automation. 2024 will celebrate the 50th anniversary of ABB’s robotics innovation
