The P604 robot is designed to handle containers, pallets, and racks in highly dynamic environments. | Source: ABB
ABB this week said it is extending its portfolio of fully autonomous mobile robots, or AMRs, by equipping its Flexley Mover P604 with 3D visual simultaneous localization and mapping, or vSLAM, navigation and user-friendly AMR Studio programming software. The Zurich-based company said the launch is part of its overall effort towards offering robots that are more versatile, efficient, and easier to use.
“ABB has perfected robot eyes, through 3D AI vision technology; hands, through advanced force sensing, precision dexterity, and machine learning; and independent mobility, through 3D mapping,” stated Marc Segura, president of ABB Robotics. “Fusing these technologies gives our robots a complete and dynamic understanding of the world around them, enabling safer, more intelligent, and autonomous operations for our customers across automotive, manufacturing, and logistics.”
ABB’s product line includes a full range of industrial robots, collaborative robot arms, and AMRs (acquired with ASTI in 2021). Last year, it acquired Sevensense, which provided navigation capabilities for its AMRs, rebranded as the Flexly line. ABB Robotics is one of the top RBR50 winners of all time, earning recognition every year in the innovation award’s history.
In April, ABB Group announced that it would be spinning off its entire robotics division. It intends for the business to start trading as a separately listed company in the second quarter of 2026. The company missed its revenue prediction for the first quarter of 2025 by $260 million and acknowledged that macroeconomic uncertainty from tariffs has affected its business.
ABB simplifies programming with AMR studio
ABB designed its Flexley Mover to lift and transport objects of various payloads in a variety of settings. This can enable greater efficiencies in applications like intralogistics and kitting operations. ABB said the system is accurate to within 10 mm (0.3 in.), and is matched to an AI learning algorithm.
This algorithm enables each robot to generate maps of its workspace and securely share this knowledge with other robots in its fleet. This enables fully independent, flexible, and scalable navigation alongside human workers, with no need for additional infrastructure, ABB said. The technology also allows robots to perform complex tasks such as goods-to-robot operations, line supply/kitting, and inter-process connection.
In addition, ABB said the capabilities of 3D AI vision are further amplified by its AMR Studio software. This provides a user-friendly platform for creating and configuring routes and tasks for AMRs, from standalone units through to entire fleets.
With simplified programming and graphical interfaces, the software reduces commissioning time by up to 20% compared with conventional systems, with potential cost savings of up to 30%, claimed the company. Throughout this year, ABB said it will continue fusing its precision hardware with artificial intelligence and software, towards further autonomy and versatility.
“We’re in a new era of robotics innovation. Robots that can do more things, in more places, and do it faster, safer, and smarter, directly open the door to greater productivity and eliminate the need to invest in specialist skills or infrastructure,” Segura said. “With our 50-year heritage as the original robotics innovator, we remain at the forefront of not just developing the latest technologies, but also engineering them for commercial use, at scale.”
ABB will introduce P604 Visual SLAM & AMR Studio in Booth 2632 at the Automate trade show in Detroit next week.
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