Robotics company donates cobots and simulation software

ABB Robotics will sponsor MassRobotics, the U.S. innovation hub and startup accelerator for robotics.

As part of this sponsorship, ABB Robotics will donate several of its GoFa 5-kg collaborative robots (cobots) and licenses to its RobotStudio simulation programming software to MassRobotics.

“By providing our cobots and software to some of the brightest and most innovative engineers in the United States, we are not only helping startups push the boundaries of what’s possible, but also benefiting from the fresh perspectives and groundbreaking ideas that emerge from this dynamic community,” said John Bubnikovich, president of ABB Robotics, US.

MassRobotics offers a collaborative workspace and support programs (Figure 1). “Our sponsorship represents a significant opportunity for ABB to engage with the next wave of robotics talent and to contribute to the development of cutting-edge technologies that will shape the future of our industry. It's also proof that we are always on the lookout for other innovative partners with whom to collaborate,” said Andrea Cassoni, global head of collaborative robotics and partnerships development.

The GoFa 5 kg is designed for a wide range of applications, including assembly, testing and material handling. GoFa can continuously share workspace with people.

“We are extremely grateful for ABB’s support and donation,” said Tom Ryden, executive director of MassRobotics. “The addition of ABB’s cobots to our facilities will provide our member companies with unparalleled opportunities to experiment, prototype and refine their robotics solutions. This partnership will undoubtedly accelerate the pace of innovation and help our startups bring their ideas to life.”

Earlier this year ABB initiated its Robotics AI Startup Challenge, a global competition designed to accelerate the development of artificial intelligence (AI) in robotics. Applications have been received and are now being evaluated, with the winning team to be announced this fall. The winners of the challenge will have the opportunity to collaborate closely with ABB's engineers, access robotic technologies and tap into the company's global network of customers and partners.