ZURICH, Switzerland, July 7, 2025 – ABB is expanding its robotics portfolio with three new robot families designed to support China’s growth in advanced manufacturing. Built at the Shanghai Mega Factory, these robots are intended for automation tasks across electronics, consumer goods, and general industries. They handle applications from material handling to dispensing and polishing. Each robot family runs on the OmniCore single control platform, allowing integration with AI, sensors, cloud services, and edge computing systems to enable autonomous operation.
“China is the world’s largest robotics market and for ABB Robotics. China’s growth in sectors such as electronics and from small and medium sized businesses is driving the increasing demand for accessible, user-friendly solutions, and we are responding to that demand,” said Sami Atiya, president of ABB’s robotics & discrete automation business area. “With our new robot families, we are not only expanding what is already the most comprehensive and integrated offering in the market, but we are helping new industries and customers automate with new mid-market value propositions.”
ABB’s new robot families
Lite+
Lite+ is designed for material handling and pick-and-place tasks in smaller-scale operations. Compact and straightforward to deploy, it helps simplify automation for manufacturers. Available in China and Asia, Lite+ integrates with the IRB 1200 and other IRB robots to support production setups in electronics manufacturing industries.
PoWa
PoWa is a collaborative robot designed for pick-and-place, palletizing, and machine-tending tasks. With operating speeds up to 5.8 m/s, it supports efficient workflows. Available in China, PoWa offers no-code programming and plug-and-play setup, allowing small and medium-sized enterprises to deploy the system within an hour of installation.
IRB 1200 (New Generation)
The redesigned IRB 1200, available worldwide, is intended for high-speed, precision tasks such as assembly, polishing, and dispensing. It is about 20% lighter and compact than the previous model, allowing manufacturers to build space-efficient production cells and improve operational efficiency.
New AI-powered innovations extend China technology leadership
All three robot families are powered by ABB’s OmniCore controller platform, ensuring access to ABB’s software suite, including RobotStudio.
“Building on 30 years of robotics leadership in China, we are meeting the needs of customers in new and expanding industries with these three robot families,” said Marc Segura, president of ABB Robotics. “By delivering flexible, modular, AI-powered technology that lowers barriers to automation, we are driving adoption of advanced manufacturing in new segments and supporting the next wave of industrial innovation in China and beyond.”
ABB’s launch event in Shanghai featured an AI-driven natural language software tool for teaching robots, using PoWa collaborative robot. Combining generative and analytical AI, the technology speeds up the teaching process for robots using three steps: ‘see, speak, do,’ with the robot visually perceiving its environment, processing verbal instructions, and translating them into actions.
“ABB has led the way in robotics for more than five decades, with deep roots in China dating back to 1994,” said Henry Han, president of robotics in China. “Today, we continue to expand our robotics leadership in China, for China and beyond, building on our full local value chain of manufacturing, research and development to deliver groundbreaking solutions for our customers in businesses of all sizes.”
Source: ABB
About ABB
ABB is a global technology leader in electrification and automation, headquartered in Zürich, Switzerland, and Västerås, Sweden. Formed in 1988 through the merger of Sweden’s ASEA and Switzerland’s Brown, Boveri & Cie, the company traces its roots back to 1883. ABB operates in over 100 countries, serving industries such as utilities, transportation, infrastructure, and manufacturing. Its offerings include robotics, industrial automation, electrification products, and motion solutions. As of 2024, ABB reported revenues of approximately $33 billion and employed around 110,000 people worldwide. The company operates in over 100 countries, across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas. ABB focuses on innovation and sustainability by investing in research and development to support the shift toward a more resource-efficient future.
About ABB Robotics & Discrete Automation
ABB Robotics & Discrete Automation is a supplier of robotics and machine automation technologies. Its portfolio includes industrial and collaborative robots, autonomous mobile robots, and machine automation systems, all managed through integrated software solutions. The business supports companies across industries such as automotive, electronics, logistics, food and beverage, metals, and general manufacturing, helping them improve operational resilience, flexibility, and efficiency. ABB Robotics & Discrete Automation focuses on enabling connected and collaborative factory operations. Established in 1988 through the merger of ASEA and BBC, the business employs around 11,000 people across more than 100 locations in approximately 53 countries. In 2024, the segment generated about $3.2B in revenue The division is one of the top global suppliers in robotics and automation, with a market presence in China and a focus on supporting scalable manufacturing and smart industry applications.