ABB (abb.com), the leading power and automation group, announces it acquired Gomtec GmbH to expand its offering in the field of collaborative robots. The parties agreed not to disclose financial terms of the transaction.

Gomtec, based near Munich, Germany, is a privately held company that develops mechatronic systems combining mechanical, electrical, telecommunications, control and computer engineering for customers in diverse industries. It has 25 employees.

Gomtec’s technology platform will strengthen ABB’s development of a new generation of “safe-by-design” collaborative robots that can be operated outside of cages or protective fencing, expanding opportunities to deploy them in new applications.

Gomtec’s acquisition is another step in ABB’s Next Level strategy aimed at accelerating sustainable value creation. The strategy is building on ABB’s three focus areas of profitable growth, relentless execution and business-led collaboration. The company is driving profitable growth by shifting its center of gravity toward high-growth end markets, enhancing competitiveness and lowering risk in business models.

The acquisition of Gomtec complements ABB’s portfolio of human-robot collaborative automation technologies that already include YuMi, the world’s first truly collaborative dual-arm industrial robot designed to expand automation for small-parts assembly. ABB formally introduced YuMi this week at the Hannover Messe, the world’s leading trade fair for industrial technology.

“We are seeing an increasing trend of automation innovation where humans and robots work side-by-side in ways that weren’t possible before,” says Pekka Tiitinen, president of ABB’s Discrete Automation and Motion division. “The addition of Gomtec to our robotics offering will help accelerate ABB’s expansion into new markets as well as our penetration of traditional industries as manufacturers pursue new ways to increase flexibility, agility and competitiveness.”

ABB’s and Gomtec’s shared passion for innovation and robotics will drive the creation of new technologies that challenge the way industry looks at human-robot collaboration.

“We have found the best partner for the next step in our journey,” says Bernd Gombert, chief executive officer of Gomtec. “ABB’s global reach and broad installed base, coupled with its world-class operations will help us bring innovative robots and solutions to the rapidly growing market for collaborative automation.”