ABB has acquired Swiss start-up Sevensense, a leading provider of AI-enabled 3D vision navigation technology for autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). Sevensense was founded in 2018 as a spin-off from Swiss technical University, ETH Zurich.

“This marks a significant step towards our vision of a workplace where AI-enabled robots assist people. Further, it addresses our customers’ needs for greater flexibility and intelligence amidst critical skilled labor shortages,” said Sami Atiya, President of ABB Robotics and Discrete Automation. “Each mobile robot, equipped with vision and AI, scans a unique part of the building; collectively these robots complement each other’s view to form a complete map, enabling them to work autonomously in a rapidly changing environment.”

The acquisition follows ABB’s minority investment in Sevensense after it joined the company’s innovation ecosystem in 2021. It was the same year that ABB acquired ASTI Mobile Robotics. The company did not disclose the financial details of the transaction. Following pilot customer projects in the automotive and logistics industries, ABB will integrate Sevensense’s technology into the company’s AMR portfolio, offering an unprecedented combination of speed, accuracy, and payload.

The market for mobile robots is expected to grow at 20 percent CAGR through 2026, from $5.5bn to $9.5bn. Specifically, ABB’s AI-powered 3D vision technology is at the forefront of this growth (Data according to ABB analysis).

Combines AI, 3D Vision

Specifically, Sevensense’s pioneering navigation technology combines AI and 3D vision. This enables AMRs to make intelligent decisions, differentiating between fixed and mobile objects in dynamic environments.

Once manually guided, mobile robots with Visual Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (Visual SLAM) technology create a map to operate independently. Accordingly, this reduces commissioning time from weeks to days and enables the AMRs to navigate in highly complex, dynamic environments alongside people. Also, maps are constantly updated and shared across the fleet. Thus, they offer instant scalability without interrupting operations and greater flexibility compared to other navigation technologies.

Today, this AI-enabled navigation technology is already transforming the automotive manufacturing and logistics sectors. Additionally, they deliver value through faster and more efficient operations. Specifically, for automotive manufacturer Ford, Visual SLAM-enabled ABB AMR’s will create efficiency gains in production sites in the US. Meanwhile, Michelin will use the technology in intralogistics at its factory in Spain. Other automotive manufacturers will roll out the technology in the UK, Finland, and Germany.

“Offering more autonomy and cognitive intelligence, ABB’s unique market-proven technology paves the way for a shift from linear production lines to dynamic networks. Intelligent AMRs autonomously navigate to production cells, tracking stock inventory as they go and sharing this information with other robots, while collaborating safely side-by-side with humans,” said Marc Segura, President of ABB’s Robotics Division.

“With the acquisition of Sevensense, ABB becomes the leader in next-generation AMRs, offering Visual SLAM in Autonomous Mobile Robots, together with an integrated portfolio covering robots and machine automation solutions, all managed by our value-creating software,” he continued.

Gregory Hitz, CEO of Sevensense, said, “This is a significant moment in our shared journey, as we introduce our home-grown technology to a wider range of markets and sectors. ABB is the ideal home for us to continue scaling our versatile platform for 3D visual autonomy, serving OEMs across the automated material handling and service robotics industries. Together, we will redefine the limits of AI-enabled robotics.”

Offering Visual SLAM in AMRs

This revolutionary technology has the potential to impact robotics far beyond AMRs. Accordingly, it will lead to greater efficiency, flexibility and accuracy throughout production and intralogistics. Selling of the technology will also continue across segments. Among them include material handling, cleaning, and other service robotics fields under the product name Sevensense.

Mainly, the Sevensense partnership highlights the success of ABB’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of innovations. Through its partner ecosystem and collaboration with start-ups and universities, ABB develops leading technology for the benefit of global businesses.

Sevensense’s approximately 35 employees will continue to be based at its Swiss office in Zurich.