MAY 12--Braintech (Vancouver, Canada; www.braintech.com) has signed an exclusive agreement with ABB Robotics (Zurich, Switzerland; www.abb.com). The agreement gives ABB an exclusive license to use Braintech's Vision Guided Robotics (VGR) software platform called eVF as a key component of ABB's TrueView family of VGR systems for automotive and general industries worldwide. In return, ABB committed to purchase US$10.5 million eVF runtimes over the next three years; provide US$300,000 to help Braintech's bin-picking research project; and conduct a global market launch for TrueView.
Owen Jones, CEO of Braintech, says, "Our partnership with ABB has focused on developing systems for the world's largest automakers. Together, we have proven to the auto industry the tremendous value of VGR. Now, we've agreed to mobilize globally in order to capture significant market share." Jones goes on to state, "ABB has committed to purchase a minimum number of licenses that provide us with a secure revenue base and profitability over the next three years. More important, I expect as ABB ramps up around the globe, we'll far exceed the minimum purchase amount."
Braintech's eVF product is a software platform designed specifically for vision guided robotics. eVF includes patented SC3D guidance technology. New components are constantly being added to broaden the uses of VGR and include part guidance, tracking, and picking technologies.
Alfons Goos, ABB group vice president, robot automation, states,"After significant testing, including more than 100 systems deployed in some of the world's largest automakers' plants, we've decided to globally market TrueView. One of the key building blocks of TrueView is Braintech's eVF, and, after reviewing the quality-control capabilities and examining the on-going research and development efforts, I am extremely pleased with our partnership and fully endorse standardizing with eVF."
The ABB Robotic automotive and manufacturing group supplies robots, robotic systems, and automation systems to the automotive, manufacturing, and consumer industries. With more than 130,000 robots installed worldwide and more than 5000 employees, ABB is a leader in flexible factory automation. This group is part of ABB Ltd., developer of power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve performance while lowering environmental impact.
