At Automatica 2025 in Munich, ABB Robotics revealed its strategic vision for the next generation of industrial automation, emphasizing a shift toward robots that are both autonomous and versatile. The company outlined how it is combining advanced mobility, AI-enabled dexterity, and large language model (LLM) integration to enable robots that can operate with increasing independence and adaptiveness across various environments.
Speaking at the event, Marc Segura, President of ABB Robotics, described this as a “steeping moment” in robotics innovation. He emphasized ABB’s approach of combining robust industrial engineering with cutting-edge AI. “We call it ‘Engineer to Autonomy’—a blend of disruption and industrial-grade performance,” he said.
From Programming to Instructing: Robots That Understand
A major focus of the presentation was ABB’s roadmap toward natural human-robot interaction. Using generative AI and large language models, future ABB robots will be able to interpret instructions given via speech or video, translate them into logical sequences, and execute tasks without explicit programming. According to Segura, this evolution will enable robots to self-generate code and adapt dynamically to changing conditions—whether it be lighting, object positioning, or production variables.
Expanding Autonomy and Versatility
ABB distinguishes between autonomy—robots performing tasks in dynamic environments without human input—and versatility, defined as a robot’s ability to switch between task types independently. Segura explained that combining these traits will unlock new applications where robots not only perform complex work but also reconfigure themselves to meet changing demands.
The company’s upcoming releases aim to deliver on this vision. Highlights include the launch of the Flexley Mover P603, a 1500-kilogram-capacity autonomous mobile robot (AMR) with visual SLAM navigation and integrated fleet intelligence. In parallel, ABB is enhancing its grasping capabilities with systems such as the Item Picker, which combines vision and force sensors with AI-driven collision-free path planning.
Unified Platform: OmniCore and AMR Studio
All of ABB’s developments are anchored in its OmniCore platform—an integrated hardware and software architecture supporting robot control, motion performance, cybersecurity, and AI deployment. ABB also debuted AMR Studio, a no-code interface for managing mobile robot fleets. Users can define layouts, traffic rules, and missions via drag-and-drop functions, eliminating the need for conventional programming.
A recurring theme was the simplification of robotics implementation. ABB showcased advancements in integrated vision systems, allowing users to plug in virtually any industrial camera and deploy vision-guided tasks via standardized interfaces. In RobotStudio, ABB’s design and simulation suite, engineers now have access to an AI-powered copilot trained on robotics-specific data to assist with application development.
Segura noted that many of the AI-driven capabilities now being showcased began years ago in research environments. The Item Picker, for example, was initially co-developed with MIT in 2017 and is now being rolled out by global clients including Inditex and DHL. He stressed that ABB’s focus remains on delivering commercially viable, high-performance systems that meet industrial standards for reliability, safety, and serviceability.
