ABB Robotics Gigafactory officially opened in Shanghai

BB invested US$500 million and built a new robot factory covering an area of 67,000 square meters

The new production facility and the open innovation center in collaboration with customers will apply digitalization and automation to create a new generation of robots

The new Gigafactory and R&D center will further strengthen ABB's leadership position in robotic automation

Today, ABB announced the official opening of its leading robotics gigafactory at a commissioning ceremony in Kangqiao, Pudong, Shanghai. The 67,000-square-meter gigafactory, which is a fully automated and flexible manufacturing gigafactory, integrates production and R&D, with an investment of US$150 million (approximately RMB 1.1 billion at exchange rates). ABB will apply its digitalization and automation technologies to build a new generation of robots, further strengthening its leading position in robotics and automation in China.

ABB Robotics Gigafactory officially opened in Shanghai

"The opening of the Robot Gigafactory is another important milestone in ABB's 30-year history of successful development in China. The new facility will better help Chinese customers achieve sustained growth, meet the challenges of labor shortages, and create high-value jobs in the new era of automation. "The Gigafactory, which features innovation, automation and flexibility, will further strengthen the localization of the entire value chain in line with ABB's development strategy of 'In China, For China'. In the future, more than 90% of the products we sell in China will be produced here, supporting us to provide more locally made products, solutions and services to our customers in China. ”

ABB expects global robot sales to grow from the current $80 billion to $130 billion by 2025. China is the world's largest robot market, accounting for 51% of the world's total robot installations in 2021, and the robot operating stock exceeded the 1 million mark.

Gigafactories connect the physical and digital worlds to create a digital manufacturing ecosystem that leverages virtual planning and production management systems to collect and analyze data to improve performance and productivity. The new factory abandons traditional, fixed assembly lines and replaces them with flexible, modular production cells that are digitally connected, serviced by intelligent, autonomous mobile robots. AI robotic systems can perform tasks such as screwing, assembly, and material handling, freeing people from these tasks for more valuable work.

"The new Robotics Manufacturing and R&D Center brings ABB's vision of the factory of the future into reality, enabling more resilient, faster and more efficient production and intralogistics through flexible automation," said Mascon, Global President of ABB's Robotics business. The new factory is the latest manifestation of ABB's commitment to promoting flexible manufacturing, modular production and smart manufacturing, with a strong focus on robotic AI learning technology. In the new R&D center, we will work with our customers and partners to develop new solutions that will prepare them for a new era of automation in the world's largest robotics market.

Gigafactory's new 8,000-square-meter R&D center will accelerate innovation in artificial intelligence, digitalization, and software, with a focus on autonomous mobility, digital twins, machine vision, and low-code programming software to make robots smarter, more flexible, safer, and easier to use.

In the new Open Innovation Center, ABB will collaborate with partners and customers to develop innovative solutions that unlock more possibilities for flexible automation in new areas such as logistics, healthcare, and food and beverage. Since 2005, ABB has trained more than 1 million students in China in robotics-related courses through partnerships with vocational schools and universities. Gigafactories will continue to develop skilled talent for partners and end-users to embrace the new era of automation.

Liang Rui, President of ABB Robotics China, said: "ABB Robotics has been supporting various industries including automotive, electronics, metals, plastics, logistics and more since its entry into the Chinese market for nearly 30 years. With the opening of the Gigafactory, we can further meet the surging demand for automation in the Chinese market, especially in emerging fields such as new energy vehicle manufacturing, wearable smart electronic devices, food and beverage, healthcare, e-commerce, retail and service robots. ”

The Shanghai Gigafactory is another key project of ABB's Robotics & Discrete Automation division, following the opening of the ABB Global Innovation and Training Center for Machine Automation in Austria in July and the Opening of Learning Factory 4.0 in Berlin in September.

With more than 15,000 employees in more than 130 cities in China, ABB is one of ABB's most important R&D and production sites. As one of the three global production sites of ABB Robotics, the Gigafactory in Shanghai will replace the existing factory to support customers in Asia. The plants in Västerås, Sweden, and Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States, will continue to serve customers in Europe and the Americas.

ABB Robotics Gigafactory officially opened in Shanghai

Sections viewed

Contact

working hours