ABB Robotics Expands Collaborative Automation with High-Speed PoWa Cobot Family!

ABB Robotics has introduced its new PoWa family of collaborative robots (cobots), a next-generation automation platform designed to deliver the speed, payload capacity, and performance of industrial robots while retaining the flexibility, safety, and ease of use associated with collaborative robotics. Unveiled at IMTS 2026, the PoWa series is aimed at manufacturers seeking to automate demanding production tasks without the complexity or large footprint of traditional industrial robotic systems.

As manufacturers across industries continue to address labor shortages, rising production costs, and increasing demand for flexible manufacturing, collaborative robots have emerged as one of the fastest-growing segments of industrial automation. While conventional cobots have become popular for their ease of programming and safe human-robot collaboration, many have been limited by lower payload capacities and slower operating speeds. ABB’s new PoWa family has been developed specifically to overcome these limitations, enabling manufacturers to automate heavier, faster, and more complex production processes while preserving the simplicity that makes cobots attractive.

The PoWa lineup bridges the gap between conventional collaborative robots and traditional industrial robots by offering six payload categories ranging from 7 kilograms to 30 kilograms. This expanded payload capability allows manufacturers to automate a wider variety of material handling, assembly, and machine tending applications that previously required larger industrial robots. At the same time, the cobots maintain a compact design suitable for production facilities where floor space is limited.

One of the defining features of the PoWa family is its high operating speed. With maximum speeds of up to 5.8 meters per second, the robots are capable of supporting fast-cycle manufacturing operations that demand both productivity and precision. This combination of speed and payload makes the PoWa series particularly suitable for applications such as high-speed machine tending, palletizing, screwdriving, arc welding, pick-and-place operations, packaging, and material handling across a broad range of industries.

The ability to automate heavier workloads while maintaining collaborative functionality provides manufacturers with greater operational flexibility. Companies can deploy the same robotic platform across multiple applications, reducing equipment complexity while improving overall production efficiency. This versatility is particularly valuable for manufacturers operating mixed-production environments or high-mix, low-volume manufacturing facilities where production requirements frequently change.

ABB has also placed a strong emphasis on simplifying robot deployment and operation. The PoWa cobots are equipped with programmable buttons located directly on the robot arm, allowing operators to interact with the system more intuitively during setup and operation. The robots also support no-code programming, enabling users with little or no robotics experience to configure automation tasks without extensive programming knowledge. This significantly lowers the barrier to automation adoption, especially for small and medium-sized manufacturers beginning their automation journey.

Installation has likewise been streamlined. According to ABB Robotics, the PoWa cobots can be unpacked, installed, and placed into operation within approximately one hour. This rapid deployment capability minimizes production disruption and allows manufacturers to realize automation benefits much faster than traditional robotic installations, which often require lengthy programming, integration, and commissioning processes.

The PoWa platform has been designed to integrate seamlessly with a broad ecosystem of third-party tools and accessories through plug-and-play connectivity. Manufacturers can easily connect end-of-arm tooling, vision systems, grippers, sensors, and other automation components without extensive customization. This compatibility provides greater flexibility when configuring robotic workcells for different manufacturing applications while reducing overall integration time.

At the heart of every PoWa cobot is ABB’s advanced OmniCore controller platform, which delivers precise motion control, high-speed processing, and exceptional positioning accuracy. The OmniCore architecture enables smooth robot movement, optimized cycle times, and consistent operational performance even during demanding industrial applications. The controller also supports advanced safety functions and robust industrial connectivity, making it suitable for integration into modern smart manufacturing environments.

To further enhance usability, the PoWa family integrates with ABB’s comprehensive portfolio of AI-powered automation software. This includes RobotStudio, ABB’s industry-leading offline programming and simulation platform, which allows users to design, test, and optimize robotic applications before deployment. The robots also support Wizard Easy Programming, an intuitive software environment that simplifies robot programming through guided workflows and user-friendly interfaces. Together, these software tools help manufacturers accelerate implementation, maximize equipment uptime, and improve long-term operational efficiency.

According to Andrea Cassoni, Head of Collaborative Robots at ABB Robotics, demand for collaborative robots is growing significantly faster than for traditional industrial robots. He noted that both small manufacturers entering automation for the first time and large industrial companies are increasingly seeking robotic systems capable of handling higher speeds and larger payloads while remaining easy to deploy and operate. Cassoni emphasized that many established manufacturers require solutions capable of automating heavy-duty, fast-cycle applications without the complexity and operational rigidity associated with conventional industrial robots.

The launch of the PoWa family reflects broader trends within the manufacturing industry, where automation investments are increasingly focused on flexible, scalable, and user-friendly technologies. As production requirements become more dynamic and labor availability remains a challenge, manufacturers are seeking robotic systems that can quickly adapt to changing workflows while maintaining high levels of productivity and quality.

By combining industrial-grade performance with collaborative robot simplicity, the ABB PoWa family offers manufacturers a versatile automation solution capable of handling demanding production tasks without sacrificing ease of use or flexibility. With its broad payload range, high operating speeds, rapid deployment, advanced software integration, and compact design, the new cobot series is positioned to help manufacturers accelerate automation adoption, improve operational efficiency, and build more agile, future-ready production environments.