The expansion project of the US robotics factory entails an investment of $20m and is anticipated to be completed in November this year

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ABB to expand its robotics factory in Auburn Hills, US. (Credit: ABB)

ABB has commenced construction on the expansion of its existing North American robotics headquarters and manufacturing site in Auburn Hills, Michigan, US.

The expansion project of the US robotics factory entails an investment of $20m and is anticipated to be completed in November this year, said the Switzerland-based electrification and automation solutions firm.

According to ABB, the robotics factory expansion project will generate 72 highly skilled new jobs in the area. It is backed by a performance-based grant of $450,000 from the Michigan Business Development Program.

Since 2010, the automation company has invested $14bn in the US.

ABB said that the expansion project will help customers in the Americas, particularly those in growth industries such as electric vehicles (EVs), healthcare, packaging, and logistics.

With the investment, the latest digital and automation technologies are expected to be deployed to produce next generation robots in the US to optimise the delivery process and lower lead times.

The factory is anticipated to use digitally connected and networked flexible, modular production cells that are served by intelligent autonomous mobile robots.

Artificial intelligence (AI) powered robotic devices will perform activities including screw driving, assembling, and material handling.

ABB also said that Auburn Hills factory will soon produce nearly 90% of the robots shipped to customers in the US, Canada, Mexico, and South America.

ABB US robotics division president John Bubnikovich said: “The expanded facility will feature the most advanced technology available, with AI-enabled robots and smart digital manufacturing systems supporting the production and manufacture of state-of-the-art customer solutions.

“Almost every aspect of the site will be upgraded to enrich our efforts to attract, retain and nurture the best automation talent, while creating a US manufacturing hub and headquarters befitting of a global leader in automation.”

In December 2022, ABB officially inaugurated a fully automated and flexible robotics mega factory in Shanghai, China. The production and research facility was built with an investment of $150m and spans an area of 67,000m2.