Attendees at this year’s China International Industry Fair in Shanghai observed a new approach to industrial automation, with ABB Robotics debuting its OmniCore EyeMotion solution. As manufacturers across sectors look for ways to streamline deployment and boost productivity, products that promise rapid integration and universal compatibility draw considerable attention. Increasingly, companies are seeking systems that allow robots not just to move efficiently, but to understand and respond to their environments in real time, signaling a wider adoption of AI-driven robotics in global industries.
News about ABB’s robotics innovations has often focused on hardware updates or automation efficiency, but previous releases largely relied on fixed or proprietary camera systems and more specialist setups. Earlier announcements centered around the speed and precision of the robots themselves, with less emphasis on flexible, open-ecosystem software. Now, ABB’s OmniCore EyeMotion sets itself apart by allowing any OmniCore-powered robot to interface with third-party cameras or sensors, further supported by the company’s spin-off plans and partnership investments in vision AI. Compared to past industry standards, EyeMotion’s promise of simpler setup marks a shift toward broader usability and swifter commissioning for diverse business needs.
How Does OmniCore EyeMotion Work?
OmniCore EyeMotion enables robots powered by ABB’s OmniCore controller to gain spatial awareness and adjust to their surroundings using any compatible cameras or sensors. Its interface, designed to be web-based and drag-and-drop, targets users of various skill levels and aims to make configuring robot vision applications more accessible. ABB claims this approach can substantially cut down commissioning times, integrating quickly with their RobotStudio software suite for faster deployment and simulation.
What Impact Could This Have Across Industries?
ABB is positioning EyeMotion as a tool for use in manufacturing, logistics, packaging, and the food and beverage sector. The system accelerates tasks such as sorting, inspection, and real-time adaptation to changes within a robot’s work environment. For more demanding applications, EyeMotion can be paired with ABB’s Automatic Path Planning Online to optimize movement around obstacles, with ABB estimating reduced cycle times and increased operational autonomy. According to company president Marc Segura,
“Over the past decade, we have evolved AI vision to give robots ‘eyes’ that can see the world in 3D, but previously this required advanced camera hardware.”
What Are ABB’s Broader Plans With Vision AI?
The company links EyeMotion to its long-term pursuit of “autonomous versatile robotics.” By integrating vision, AI-powered reasoning, and flexible hardware compatibility, ABB aims to enable robots that can effectively plan and execute diverse tasks without continuous human oversight. The company’s recent investment in LandingAI underlines this intent, enabling quicker model training and deployment for vision solutions. ABB explained,
“Once deployed, system integrators and end users can retrain the AI for new scenarios on their own, unlocking AVR.”
Many robotics companies are now racing to make machine vision easier to implement and less reliant on proprietary ecosystems. ABB’s strategy focuses on flexibility and speed, reflected not only in EyeMotion’s compatibility but in the upcoming RoboBusiness showcase and ongoing collaborations. As industries continue to demand smarter, faster automation, the trend appears to be toward solutions that support end users of varying technical backgrounds—offering adaptability without sacrificing precision. Buyers and integrators should evaluate solutions both for their ability to integrate with mixed hardware and for the speed at which they can be deployed or updated. Looking ahead, practical value will likely lie in hybrid systems balancing robust AI routines and user-friendly deployment across multiple environments.
- ABB launched the hardware-agnostic OmniCore EyeMotion vision software.
- OmniCore EyeMotion enables faster deployment and increased autonomy for robots.
- ABB’s focus includes broad compatibility, AI-driven autonomy, and rapid setup.
