ABB Acquires Gomtec to Expand in Robotics

ABB, the leading power and automation group, announced it acquired Gomtec GmbH to expand its offering in the field of collaborative robots. The parties agreed not to disclose financial terms of the transaction.

Gomtec, based near Munich, Germany, is a privately held company that develops mechatronic systems combining mechanical, electrical, telecommunications, control and computer engineering for customers in diverse industries. It has 25 employees.

Gomtec's technology platform will strengthen ABB's development of a new generation of "safe-by-design" collaborative robots that can be operated outside of cages or protective fencing, expanding opportunities to deploy them in new applications.

Gomtec's acquisition is another step in ABB's Next Level strategy aimed at accelerating sustainable value creation. The strategy is building on ABB's three focus areas of profitable growth, relentless execution and business-led collaboration. The company is driving profitable growth by shifting its center of gravity toward high-growth end markets, enhancing competitiveness and lowering risk in business models.

The acquisition of Gomtec complements ABB's portfolio of human-robot collaborative automation technologies that already include YuMi, the world's first truly collaborative dual-arm industrial robot designed to expand automation for small-parts assembly. ABB formally introduced YuMi this week at the Hannover Messe, the world's leading trade fair for industrial technology.

ABB's and Gomtec's shared passion for innovation and robotics will drive the creation of new technologies that challenge the way industry looks at human-robot collaboration.

Keywords: Robotic Automation, Mechatronic Systems, Human-Robot, Safe-By-Design, Human-Robot Collaborative, ARC Advisory Group.