ABB Robotics and PSYONIC are teaming up to boost dexterous robotic manipulation by training robots with real-world data from prosthetic users, combining PSYONIC’s Ability Hand with ABB’s GoFa cobot to push toward Autonomous Versatile Robots that can sense, reason, and handle objects in dynamic environments.

The collaboration aims to close the gap between human dexterity and industrial robotics, advancing robots that can autonomously adapt to varied tasks and settings.

ABB’s GoFa cobot provides the precision, accuracy, and repeatable grip variations needed for reliable industrial deployment.

The overarching goal is to enable robots to perform delicate and variable tasks more reliably across multiple industries.

Industry context, per the IFR, shows that advanced gripping and digital end-to-arm tooling can cut engineering time by up to 30%, underscoring the efficiency gains of the collaboration.

End-of-arm tooling and digital integration are highlighted as key drivers of productivity, with potential 30% reductions in engineering time.

The IFR’s insight reinforces the strategic value of improving gripping tech and digital integration in this partnership.

Initial focus will be on high-volume pick-and-place tasks in automotive and warehouse contexts, with plans to expand into laboratory automation, aerospace, packaging, and logistics while targeting reliability over 99% within six to twelve months.

The collaboration will explore how traditional gripping struggles with variability, fragility, or complexity can be addressed in these sectors.

Applications are envisioned across automotive, aerospace, packaging and logistics, and life sciences, targeting repetitive, ergonomically challenging, or variable tasks.

The project targets repetitive, ergonomically challenging, or hard-to-scale tasks to boost productivity, flexibility, and workplace safety.

Both companies emphasize expanding into more environments and enabling capable, adaptable robots to operate reliably in real-world settings.