18 NEWS
AW JUNE 2022
Correction
In the New Products section of the April 2022 print issue, the images for Orbex’s ultrasmall gimbal motors and Leuze’s mutlisensor were swapped. The correct information with image for Orbex’s new gimbal motors can be viewed at http://awgo.to/1429 and the correct information and image for Leuze’s new multisensor can be viewed at http://awgo.to/1430.
ABB Showcases Its ASTI Mobile Robotics
By David Greenfield
Editor-in-Chief/Director of Content
F
ollowing ABB’s acquisition of ASTI Mobile Robotics in July 2021, the company showcased ASTI’s autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) as part of its exhibit at Modex 2022 in Atlanta. In its exhibit, ABB focused on the new EBot 350, an AMR designed for use in e-commerce, warehouse logistics, and manufacturing applications. The EBot 350 features 360 degrees of protection to ensure against collisions with people or objects. ABB says two safety lasers on the Ebot 350 provide “full coverage of the vehicle’s perimeter.” The AMR also uses a safety PLC to further ensure safe operation. According to ABB, ASTI robotics technolo-
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gies allow users to replace linear production lines with flexible networks, where intelligent AMRs autonomously navigate materials, parts, and finished products between smart connected workstations in factories and logistics centers. Real-time communications on the EBot 350 enables AMR monitoring for alerts and diagnostics, as well as remote software updates and customizable dashboards. Connectivity can be established using direct machine-to-machine protocol communications as well as Wi-Fi and 4G LTE. The EBot 350’s navigation can be achieved via QR codes or SLAM (simultaneous localization and mapping)-Natural navigation. SLAM algorithms allow users to build a map and localize AMRs in that map. ABB says users can manage hundreds of locations with the EBot 350’s multiorigin and multi-destination capabilities with its Smart QR code/RFID reader system.
Sami Atiya, president of ABB’s Robotics & Discrete Automation business, said, “With this acquisition (of ASTI), ABB will be the only company to offer a full automation portfolio of AMRs, robots, and machine automation solutions, from production to logistics to point of consumption.”
See the Ebot 350 in action at Modex 2022.
6/1/22 1:25 PM
