ABB Robotics launches industrial education robot

ABB Robotics has launched the IRB 1090, expanding its education offering. The 1090 industrial education robot, authenticated by STEM.org, is designed to upskill students and provide them with a competitive advantage in securing employment.

The education robot forms a key part of ABB’s wider robotics education offering, which includes additional industrial robots as well as education packages, next-generation controllers and programming and simulation software.

“ABB’s 2023 global survey of 2301 education professionals found that 80% believe robots and automation will shape the future of employment over the next 10 years,” said Craig McDonnell, Managing Director, Business Line Industries for ABB Robotics.

Despite this, only one in four education establishments currently use robots in teaching programs, according to McDonnell. ABB Robotics is aiming to play its part in making robots available to all and the IRB 1090 robot forms a key part of this.

ABB’s IRB 1090 offers a reach of 580 mm and a 3.5 kg payload. When coupled with a 10% smaller footprint and 20% reduction in weight compared to its predecessor, it provides the ability to easily move, install and place in a facility.

The education robot with ABB’s Omnicore E10 ultra-slim controller brings increasing functionalities to enable students to hone their skills on the latest robotic advancements including motion control, TrueMove, QuickMove, Externally Guided Motion and energy-saving power grid feedback solutions.

Students using the robot and controller will also learn how robotic automation can be deployed across different sectors and applications. Educational institutions, robot resellers and system integrators can design and customise a variety of application cells, such as assembly, material handling, arc welding and dispensing. This may include different accessories such as vision cameras, grippers, working pieces, pedestals and moveable carts to meet specific requirements.

As part of the company’s commitment to making robots available to all, 100 free RobotStudio premium licences are included with the purchase of the IRB 1090 robot. RobotStudio is a virtual tool that students can use to learn the fundamentals of robot programming.

ABB works with educational institutions in over 40 countries to help students learn the fundamentals of robot programming, as well as educating over 30,000 students from schools, colleges and universities worldwide, each year.

Image credit: ABB