ABB Expands Education Offering with IRB 1090

ABB Robotics is expanding its education offering with the launch of the IRB 1090. The 1090 industrial education robot, authenticated by the globally recognized education institute STEM.org, is designed to upskill students and provide them with a competitive advantage in securing employment. The new education robot forms a key part of ABB’s wider education offering, which includes additional industrial robots, as well as education packages, next generation controllers and market leading programming and simulation software.

“ABB’s 2023 global survey of 2,301 education professionals found that 80 percent believe robots and automation will shape the future of employment over the next ten years,” said Craig McDonnell, managing director, Business Line Industries for ABB Robotics. “However, only one in four education establishments currently use robots in teaching programs. As the world’s largest industrial robotics manufacturer, we’re determined to play our part in making robots available to all and the IRB 1090 education robot forms a key part of this commitment, enabling us to serve the growing demand for industrial robots in the education space.”

ABB’s IRB 1090 offers a reach of 580 mm and a 3.5 kg payload and, coupled with a ten percent smaller footprint and 20 percent reduction in weight compared to its predecessor, provides the ability to easily move, install and place in a facility. The education robot coupled 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 customize 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 ABB’s commitment to making robots available to all, 100 free RobotStudio premium licenses 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, even before buying a physical robot.

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.