RoboMasters includes interactive lessons, simulations, and challenges to enhance the user’s robotics expertise. | Source: ABB
ABB today launched RoboMasters, a new app-based training tool that offers a flexible way for users to to program and operate ABB robots. The program provides access to a wide range of ABB robot training courses delivered in modules. This enables users of any level of experience to learn at their own pace, said the company.
“With over 4 million industrial robots in use worldwide, finding people with the skills to use robotic automation is becoming a vital competitive differentiator for companies across multiple sectors, from manufacturing to retail,” said Michael Hose, managing director of robotics customer service at ABB. “Offering a flexible and cost-effective training tool, our RoboMasters app opens new possibilities for businesses and individuals to acquire the skills needed to learn and master all aspects of robot operation.”
More than 25,000 people per year already attend courses in ABB’s 40 global training centers. The company claimed that the RoboMasters app builds on these physical training courses to provide a convenient, easy-to-use tool for users to create and manage their own learning paths.
RoboMasters addresses an adoption barrier
Building in-house skills needed to manage robots can be a hurdle for many businesses that are considering investing in robots. In a global survey of 1,650 companies conducted by ABB Robotics, 34% of respondents identified a lack of skills and concerns about complexity as a barrier to using robots in their businesses. Of these, 29% said they would reconsider their decision if training was available.
Available in over 50 languages, RoboMasters presents course materials in a variety of formats, including interactive lessons, simulations, and challenges to enhance the user’s robotics expertise. To maximize user engagement and interaction, the app also uses social learning techniques like gamification, competition, rewards, achieving targets, and ranking, noted ABB.
As with the company’s in-person training courses, users will receive a certificate on passing all modules within a course unit. This can be used as proof of competence in programming and using ABB’s robots.
For businesses, the app can reduce or eliminate the cost and disruption of sending employees to physical courses, especially in locations that may not be close to ABB’s training center network. The app can also be used as a refresher for in-person classes, enabling past delegates to practice and further develop their skills using the provided materials and learning functions, the company said.
ABB asserted that this adds value for businesses both by maximizing the original investment in attending its training courses and providing users with an ongoing way of staying up to date on the latest developments and techniques.
ABB invests in production, ease of use
Zurich, Switzerland-based ABB is a leading global supplier of robotics and and machine automation. Its portfolio includes collaborative robots, industrial automation, and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs).
In January, ABB Robotics launched the “no-code” AppStudio to simplify the creation of robotic user interfaces.
ABB recently revealed plans to invest $120 million in the U.S. to expand the production capacity for its low-voltage electrification products. The company said this will enable it to meet increasing demand from customers in a wide range of key growth industries, including data centers, buildings, and utilities.
These new changes are part of ABB’s ongoing commitment to investing in its U.S. operations, including its headquarters Auburn Hills, Mich. In the past three years, the company said it has invested more than $500 million in its U.S. business.
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