Swiss engineering giant ABB (ABBN.S) announced on Wednesday the launch of three new families of factory robots specifically designed for the Chinese market, aiming to capitalize on growing automation demand among mid-sized companies. These new robots will serve sectors such as electronics, food and beverage, and metals, performing tasks like polishing and product placement on production lines.
ABB highlighted that China’s mid-market segment, where robots handle simpler tasks like pick-and-place operations, packaging, and basic inspections, is expected to grow by 8% annually in value over the next three years—significantly faster than the global robotics industry in recent years. This surge is driven by labor shortages and the increasing ease of operating robotics technology, aided by advances in artificial intelligence.
The new ABB robot families—Lite+, PoWa, and IRB1200—offer different arm load capacities and speeds tailored to customer needs. One model can be set up and operational within 60 minutes of unpacking and can be programmed using voice commands or by demonstration. Pricing for these robots, along with controllers and equipment, ranges from approximately $20,000 to over $100,000.
China remains the largest robotics market globally, accounting for 51% of new robot installations worldwide in 2023, according to the International Federation of Robotics. It is also ABB’s biggest market for robotics, making up about 30% of the company’s robotics business.
Sami Atiya, president of ABB’s robotics and discrete automation division, downplayed concerns about potential impacts from U.S. tariffs on China, citing the strong domestic market and persistent labor shortages as key demand drivers. The robots will be manufactured at ABB’s new Shanghai factory.
Earlier this year, ABB announced plans to spin off its robotics division, which competes with Japan’s FANUC, Yaskawa, and Germany’s Kuka. Atiya said the spin-off remains on track for completion by Q2 2026 but did not disclose potential valuations or buyer interest, noting that while ABB is open to discussions, their primary goal is to proceed with the spin-off.