n NEWS February 2024 www.drivesncontrols.com 10 ABB IS BUYING A majority stake in the Bosnian software services provider Meshmind to expand its R&D capabilities in AI, industrial IoT and machine vision. Financial details of the deal have not been revealed. ABB plans to integrate Meshmind’s engineering talent, AI and software expertise to create a new global R&D hub in Sarajevo aimed at accelerating innovative automation technologies in ABB’s B&R machine automation division. The hub will focus on AI and software development. Meshmind’s approximately 50 employees will collaborate with B&R on a variety of R&D projects, including deep-learning vision systems, AI-enabled engineering tools, and IoT app development. “AI-powered robotics and automation have the power to transform industries, providing businesses with greater exibility and intelligence amidst critical global trends and workforce challenges,”says Sami Atiya, president of ABB’s Robotics and Discrete Automation business. “Through this acquisition, we will further accelerate the development of our software and AI-powered solutions to make automation more adaptive and accessible, enabling businesses of all sizes to become more resilient.” “This acquisition builds on our successful relationship with Meshmind to establish a new global R&D hub for B&R,” adds Joerg Theis, president of B&R’s machine automation division. “As part of our wider ecosystem that includes universities, partners and start-ups, this latest investment will strengthen our capacity and expertise to create solutions that make our customers' lives easier, helping them shape the future of their industries.” n ABB is also buying the Swiss AI-based AMR (autonomous mobile robot) navigation specialist Sevensense, for an undisclosed sum. ABB, which has had a minority stake in Sevensense since 2021, says that the acquisition makes it the leader in nextgeneration AMRs (autonomous mobile robots) that integrate Visual Slam (simultaneous localisation and mapping) technology with hardware and software. Following pilot projects in the automotive and logistics industries, ABB plans to integrate Sevensense’s technology into its AMRs, promising “an unprecedented combination of speed, accuracy, and payload”. Sevensense was founded in 2018 as a spin-o from the Swiss technical University, ETH Zurich. Its sta of around 35 people will continue to be based in Zurich. ABB takes control of Bosnian software firm to create a global R&D hub for AI and software Meshmind will collaborate with B&R on R&D in advanced automation technologies such as B&R’s Acopos levitating transport system THE BRITISH MOTORS and gearboxes manufacturer, Parvalux, has ocially opened a new £30m headquarters building in Poole, Dorset, which brings together operations which were previously spread across three sites. The company, which was acquired by the Swiss motor-maker maxon in 2018, is hoping to double in size by 2030. The new 13,000m2 site will house the company’s workforce of almost 200 people. Parvalux claims to be the UK’s largest manufacturer of fractional horsepower, geared electric motors, with a portfolio that covers AC motors up to 250W, as well as permanent magnet DC motors and brushless DC motors up to 600W. It also makes gearheads that can be paired with the motors. Material delivery trains on the production oor will reduce the need for manual labour, allowing sta to focus on production. An app developed by the company’s logistics department tracks where stock is located, speeding up the materials-picking process and saving time when locating materials for orders. The new building has more than 1,500 solar photovoltaic panels – one of the largest installations on a single building in southern England – and these are expected to reduce the company’s CO2 emissions by around 343 tonnes a year. According to Parvalux’s managing director, Doug Sheppard, the new factory “represents the commitment the maxon group has towards the future of Parvalux.” n Parvalux has appointed Ben Smith as its new UK sales manager. He has more than 10 years’of motor and mechatronics experience, including periods working for Bon¨glioli and TEC Electric Motors. Smith will support OEM customers in the UK and Ireland, and joins Parvalux as it sets out to expand customer support in its home market. Maxon’s UK motor-maker Parvalux opens new £30m HQ in Poole Parvalux’s new headquarters will house almost 200 staff
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ0NzM=