ABB Robotics adds generative AI assistant to RobotStudio Suite

ABB Robotics yesterday added a generative AI-based assistant to its RobotStudio Suite. The company said the new feature makes robot programming faster, easier, and more accessible.

“The demand for AI in robotics is driven by the need for greater flexibility, faster commissioning cycles, and a shortage of the specialist skills traditionally needed to program and operate robots,” said Marc Segura, president of ABB Robotics. “RobotStudio is widely recognized for saving time and effort when it comes to programming and commissioning robots. By adding this generative AI Assistant, we are expanding its benefits to reach less experienced users and help experts solve technical challenges faster.”

The AI Assistant uses a large language model (LLM) that understands and interprets human language. ABB said the AI draws from its library of manuals and documentation to deliver context-rich responses to questions. The feature enables users to set up faster and find rapid answers to questions and technical challenges.

ABB Robotics is a leading provider of industrial robots, autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), and machine automation. In April, ABB Group announced plans to spin off the division, which employs about 11,000 people at more than 100 locations in 53 countries. This includes its North American headquarters in Auburn Hills, Mich.

ABB hopes to make robots accessible to smaller businesses

By advancing the accessibility of RobotStudio, ABB aims to directly address the issues faced by smaller businesses and those in new sectors. Many of these businesses lack the expertise needed to adopt robotic automation, ABB said. Using the AI Assistant in RobotStudio’s cloud-hosted offline programming environment provides an ideal training tool for developing these skills for students and early-career professionals.

RobotStudio is a robot programming and simulation tool that enables teams to collaborate in real time, across locations and devices. The software also includes features like automatic path planning, ABB said. This can help customers reduce energy use and waste while optimizing productivity within automated processes.

With the addition of its AI assistant, the company said is making it even more accessible, regardless of experience in robot programming. Simpler, more intelligent human-machine interaction is also central to ABB Robotics’ vision for a new generation of what it calls “autonomous versatile robotics,” or AVRs.

Earlier this week, the company released OmniCore EyeMotion, another product geared towards its AVR goal. EyeMotion enables an OmniCore-powered robot to recognize its surroundings using any third-party camera or sensor and adapt in real time, even in complex applications.

“Enabled by the quantum leap forward in generative AI, we are driving innovation beyond a fixed world of operating procedures and coding, to one where robots can plan and execute a diverse range of tasks autonomously,” added Segura.

ABB includes RobotStudio AI Assistant at no additional cost with the RobotStudio premium subscription.

Learn from ABB at RoboBusiness

ABB Robotics will be participating in RoboBusiness 2025, which will be on Oct. 15 and 16 at the Santa Clara Convention Center. On the first day of the show, Thomas-Tianwei Wang, lead AI application engineer at ABB, will deliver a talk titled “How AI Enhances ABB’s Robot Performance.”

During this session, Wang will explore how AI is being integrated across ABB’s diverse robot portfolio to boost performance and adaptability. He will highlight applications in multiple sectors and form factors. Additionally, he will explain how AI-driven innovations are enhancing efficiency, precision, and versatility in real-world deployments.

This year’s conference will also include a startup workshop, the annual Pitchfire competition, and numerous networking opportunities. More than 100 exhibitors on the show floor will showcase the latest enabling technologies, products, and services to help solve robotics development challenges.

RoboBusiness will be co-located with DeviceTalks West, which focuses on medical technology professionals. Registration is now open.

For information about sponsorship and exhibition opportunities, contact Colleen Sepich at csepich[AT]wtwhmedia.com.