"Thanks to our development of advanced mechatronics, AI and vision systems, our robots are now more accessible, more powerful, more flexible and more mobile than ever before. Increasingly, however, they also need to work together seamlessly - both with us and with each other - to complete more tasks in more places. That's why we're launching OmniCore, a new milestone in our 50-year history of robotics. OmniCore is a unique unified control architecture based on a single platform and language, integrating our entire portfolio of leading hardware and software," said Sami Atiya, Head of Robotics & Factory Automation at ABB, at the official product launch on June 04, 2024.

OmniCore motion control enables robot path accuracy of less than 0.6 mm, even when multiple robots are operating at high speeds of up to 1,600 mm/s. This opens up new automation possibilities in areas such as arc welding, cell phone display assembly, gluing and laser cutting, where maximum precision is required. Compared to the previous ABB controller, OmniCore enables up to 25% faster robot operation and 20% lower energy consumption.

The platform is based on a scalable, modular control architecture that offers a wide range of functions for the development of a wide variety of applications. This makes it suitable, for example, for companies that want to automate processes in existing and new segments such as biotechnology, construction and many other industries. With over 1,000 hardware and software functions, customers can easily plan, execute, maintain and optimize their operations. This is made possible by ABB software features such as Absolute Accuracy and PickMaster Twin, as well as hardware options ranging from external axes and vision systems to fieldbuses.

"A unique feature of OmniCore is the ability to control motion, sensors and application devices through a single integrated system," said Marc Segura, head of ABB's Robotics division. "OmniCore opens the door to ABB Robotics' entire hardware and software portfolio, in any combination and on a single control platform." In the automotive industry, OmniCore makes it possible to increase the production output of robotic press lines from 12 to 15 strokes per minute and thus produce 900 parts per hour, giving manufacturers an enormous competitive advantage.

OmniCore replaces ABB's 'IRC5' robot controller, which will be phased out in June 2026. Customers working with IRC5 will continue to receive spare parts and services from ABB for the remaining life of the robots.