ABB Expands Robotics Portfolio in China Targeting Mid-Market Growth

ABB is expanding its robotics portfolio in China with the launch of three new robot families—Lite+, PoWa, and a redesigned IRB 1200—specifically designed to cater to the growing mid-market segment of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Manufactured at ABB's Shanghai Mega Factory, these robots offer simplified deployment, AI-ready controls, and modular designs that enable faster, easier integration and programming, with some units operational within an hour of unpacking. This expansion addresses a rising demand in sectors such as electronics, consumer goods, and general manufacturing, driven by China's labor shortages and the increasing accessibility of automation technology. Powered by the OmniCore control platform, the new robots integrate AI, sensor, cloud, and edge computing systems to support autonomous applications. China remains the world's largest robotics market, accounting for over half of global robot installations in 2023, with the mid-market segment growing at a 24% CAGR between 2021 and 2024 and expected to continue growing at 8% annually through 2028. ABB's strategic move also aligns with its planned spin-off of the robotics division as an independent company by 2026, highlighting China as its biggest robotics market, representing around 30% of ABB's robotics business.