ABB is stepping up its game with major upgrades to its Flexley Mover P604 robots. The latest improvements include advanced 3D visual simultaneous localisation and mapping (vSLAM) and a revamped AMR Studio programming software that makes programming and deployment simpler—even if you’ve ever wrestled with complex systems before.
Marc Segura, President of ABB Robotics, explains, “Fusing 3D AI vision, enhanced force sensing, and machine learning gives our robots a complete and dynamic understanding of their environment.” It’s a straightforward upgrade aimed at safer and more intelligent operations across industries like automotive, manufacturing, and logistics.
Over the past couple of years, ABB has been busy expanding its robotics portfolio through strategic acquisitions—first ASTI in 2021 and later Sevensense. These moves have boosted their navigation and mapping capabilities under the Flexley brand. Even amid macroeconomic challenges that saw a revenue forecast miss of $260 million, ABB remains committed to innovation by planning a spin-off of its entire robotics division, set to be publicly traded by mid-2026.
The enhanced Flexley Mover is designed to handle a wide range of payloads, making it a strong contender for intralogistics and kitting operations. Its mapping technology is precise within 10 mm and powered by an AI algorithm that lets robots share fleet-wide insights without the need for extra infrastructure. Alongside this, the AMR Studio offers a clean, graphical interface that cuts commissioning times by up to 20% and could lower costs by nearly 30%—a considerable benefit for organisations looking to streamline operations.
ABB’s ongoing innovation in robotics is all about making complex tasks less daunting and boosting productivity. The P604 Visual SLAM and AMR Studio will be on display at the upcoming Automate trade show in Detroit, giving tech enthusiasts and potential users a live look at these advancements.
