ABB Robotics has announced T-Robotics and Mbodi as the winners of its 2024 ABB Robotics AI Startup Challenge, selected from a pool of over 100 global applicants. The two startups will collaborate with ABB to develop AI-driven solutions aimed at enhancing industrial robots’ autonomy, adaptability, and efficiency.
T-Robotics focuses on physical AI models that enable natural language programming for robots, simplifying operations while maintaining precision through industry-specific skill models. According to Asad Tirmizi, founder of T-Robotics, their approach reduces programming time and advances robots’ role as intelligent assistants in manufacturing.
Mbodi’s AI platform introduces real-time skill acquisition capabilities, allowing robots to learn and adapt to new tasks through natural language inputs and demonstrations. Sebastian Peralta, co-founder and CEO of Mbodi, stated that their generative AI solutions address the needs of flexible, high-mix, low-volume production environments.
Both companies will receive $30,000 in project funding and work alongside ABB’s technology experts to develop commercial applications, with an expected launch in 2025. They will also gain a six-month membership to ABB’s startup accelerator, SynerLeap.
Marc Segura, President of ABB Robotics, emphasized that the startups’ solutions address critical challenges in industrial automation, such as natural language programming, skill learning, and autonomous decision-making. Segura added that the initiative aligns with ABB’s goal to make robotic automation more intuitive and efficient.
The ABB Robotics AI Startup Challenge is part of ABB’s broader Innovation Ecosystem, which supports emerging technologies through collaboration and investment. ABB’s Robotics & Automation Ventures (ABB RA Ventures) engages with and invests in early-stage companies globally, contributing to the company’s mission to accelerate sustainable and productive innovations.
