ABB launches OmniCore intelligent automation platform

ABB Robotics recently launched OmniCore, an intelligent automation platform. The company added its OmniCore platform is the result of more than $170 million of investment in next generation robotics.

ABB said the platform will be a step change to a modular and futureproof control architecture that will enable the full integration of AI, sensor, as well as cloud and edge computing systems to create advanced and autonomous robotic applications.

“For our customers, automation is a strategic requirement as they seek greater flexibility, simplicity and efficiency in response to the global megatrends of labor shortages, uncertainty and the need to operate more sustainably,” said Sami Atiya, president of ABB’s Robotics and Discrete Automation business area. “Through our development of advanced mechatronics, AI and vision systems, our robots are more accessible, more capable, more flexible and more mobile than ever.

“But increasingly they must also work seamlessly together, with us and each other, to take on more tasks in more places,” Atiya added. “This is why we are launching OmniCore, a new milestone in our 50-year history in robotics, a unique, single control architecture - one platform, and one language that integrates our complete range of leading hardware and software.”

OmniCore can deliver precision robot motion control

OmniCore’s motion performance can deliver robot path accuracy at a level of less than 0.6 millimeters, or about 0.025 inches, with multiple robots running at high speeds of up to 1,600 millimeters, or about 5.25 feet, per second.

ABB said its new platform opens new automation opportunities in precision areas such as arc welding, mobile phone display electronics assembly, gluing, and laser cutting.

Overall, OmniCore enables robots to operate up to 25% faster and to consume up to 20% less energy compared to the previous ABB IRC5 controller.

OmniCore is built on a scalable, modular control architecture that offers a wide array of functions to create almost any application imaginable, making it suitable for businesses embracing automation in existing and new segments, such as biotechnology and construction.

Software and hardware options to design, optimize operations

With over 1,000 hardware and software features, customers can design, operate, maintain, and optimize operations. ABB said operation design and optimization is enabled by software features including its Absolute Accuracy and PickMaster Twin, as well as hardware options spanning from external axis and machine vision systems to fieldbuses.

“The OmniCore difference is its ability to manage motion, sensors, and application equipment in a single holistic unified system,” said Marc Segura, ABB Robotics division president. “OmniCore opens the door to the entire ABB Robotics portfolio of hardware and software, in any combination under a single control platform, offering endless possibilities and more avenues for value creation.

OmniCore operation design and optimization is enabled by software features including ABB’s Absolute Accuracy, PickMaster Twin, and RobotStudio. Source: ABB

“For example, OmniCore enables automotive manufacturers to increase production speed, offering tremendous competitive advantage, increasing press tending production from 12 to 15 strokes per minute to produce 900 parts per hour,” Segura added. “As we celebrate our 50th anniversary in Robotics, we believe that OmniCore offers the potential for many more industry breakthroughs, empowering our customers across all sectors to meet the challenges that lie ahead.”

OmniCore will replace ABB’s IRC5 controller, which will be phased out in June 2026. ABB will continue to support its customers using IRC5 with spare parts and services through the remaining lifetime of robots.