ABB confirms pricing of YuMi at Hannover
There was a massive buzz around the ABB Robotics stand at the Hannover Fair, where the company was highlighting its YuMi collaborative robot. The company also confirmed pricing for YuMi and announced its first orders for this fully collaborative, dual-arm robot.
ABB chief executive officer Ulrich Spiesshofer said customers were energised by the possibilities offered by a robot engineered to work safely side-by-side with people without protective cages.
Spiesshofer sayid YuMi – costing around $40,000 per robot – offers not just safety but ease of use as well, thanks to lead-through programming that allows the robot to be taught to complete tasks by operators by simply moving its arms. It’s also so precise, he said, that it can manoeuvre a thread through the eye of a needle, an attribute particularly prized in small assembly including the electronics industry where accuracy and flexibility are in demand.
“I’m incredibly pleased that we booked the first orders for YuMi yesterday,” Spiesshofer said. “YuMi is not just a true revolution in robotics technology – it has also garnered an enthusiastic reception from customers.”
Purpose built for the small parts space, YuMi features two magnesium arms that flex on seven axes to mimic human-link movements with spatial efficiency. With its dual-arms, flexible hands, universal parts feeding system, camera-based location and state-of-the art motion control, YuMi has equal application in any small parts assembly environment.
YuMi’s introduction is another step in ABB’s Next Level strategy aimed at accelerating sustainable value creation. The strategy is building on ABB’s three focus areas of profitable growth, relentless execution and business-led collaboration. The company is driving profitable growth by shifting its center of gravity toward high-growth end markets, enhancing competitiveness and lowering risk in business models.
“The new era of robotic coworkers is here and an integral part of our Next Level strategy,” said Spiesshofer. “YuMi makes collaboration between humans and robots a reality. It is the result of years of research and development, and will change the way humans and robots interact. YuMi is an element of our Internet of Things, Services and People strategy creating an automated future together.”
Visit the ABB Robotics website for more information on YuMi, or click here to download the datasheet.
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Download the Hannover Messe 2015 robotics review here (PDF 1Mb).
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