ABB and Ericsson Forge Partnership to Fast-Track Wireless Automation for Flexible Factories

Industrial automation provider ABB and telecommunications equipment company Ericsson have strengthened their commitment to accelerate the industrial ecosystem for flexible wireless automation, which will enable enhanced connected services, industrial IoT and artificial intelligence technologies in the future. 

The partners signed a Memorandum of Understanding at Hannover Messe 2019, establishing their joint vision for future flexible production with automation and wireless communication.

The collaboration comes during the Industry 4.0 era and 5G connectivity which allow businesses to realize increased productivity, with the help of automation and digitalization.

The MoU confirms the partners’ agreement to continue their strong research collaboration, explore improvements in manufacturing processes and automation, and discover new business opportunities for the industrial ecosystem.

Ulrich Spiesshofer, who was ABB’s CEO at the time, said: “We are very excited to extend our partnership with Ericsson as the world moves closer to the era of 5G technology.

“ABB’s leadership in digital industries combined with Ericsson’s pioneering work in connectivity will open up new opportunities for customers to enhance productivity and competitiveness by digitalizing their businesses.”

Börje Ekholm, CEO of Ericsson, said: “Ericsson and ABB already have a strong collaboration in research for 5G and Industrial IoT technologies.

“With this MoU, we strengthen our partnership to accelerate the industrial ecosystem and realize the full potential of flexible automation, unlocking new business opportunities enabled by combining 5G and Industry 4.0.”

The two partners are already fast-tracking the introduction of a new generation of intelligent factory technologies, with Ericsson deploying an intelligent automation system at its manufacturing facilities in Tallinn, Estonia.

ABB has provided a fully automated flexible robotics cell solution that assembles 5G radios for Ericsson.

At the Hannover Messe 2019, ABB and Ericsson are exhibiting their latest and most innovative technologies and showcasing how they are enabling the “factory of the future” with the latest flexible robotics, wireless technologies, 5G, Industrial IoT and motion control technology.