ABB Robotics has presented its plan to build a technology and operations centre in Sabadell that will consolidate its activities in Spain and Portugal. The complex will occupy a plot of 60,000 square metres and is set to open in 2028 with an initial workforce of 185 people.
ABB Robotics will concentrate its operations for Spain and Portugal in Sabadell. The company, which is part of the Japanese group SoftBank following European approval of the operation, has unveiled the project for a new technology and operations centre to be located in Can Guiart, as reported by hwlibre.com. The complex will be built on a plot of approximately 60,000 square metres and will feature a building of around 15,000 square metres. The opening is scheduled for 2028 and the initial workforce will be around 185 people.
ABB's robotics division has been operating for years in Sant Quirze del Vallès. The move to Sabadell aims to keep current teams close, gain visibility, and provide a campus that brings together offices, development, training, and exhibition. The facilities being left behind will remain under the control of the Swiss multinational ABB, which will continue operations there.
The future centre is envisioned as a reference for Spain and Portugal, but it will also have an international reach. It will host teams responsible for global solutions for the automotive industry and groups specialised in service robotics and digital solutions. From Sabadell, applications for advanced assembly, industrial process automation, and intralogistics systems based on autonomous mobile robots will be coordinated. The Burgos plant, focused on AMR technology, will receive engineering and manufacturing support from Catalonia.
The planned spaces include laboratories, a training centre, a customer experience area, a technology showroom, and areas for developing and assembling robotic solutions. The intention is for clients and technology partners to test the technologies before implementing them on a large scale. Teams will work on engineering, computer vision, software, and autonomous mobile robots, aiming for machines to better interpret their environment and act with greater autonomy and versatility.
ABB Robotics management has explained that the choice of Sabadell meets three conditions: a campus that consolidates all activities, a well-connected and visible location, and proximity to university talent. The division's president, Marc Segura, has asserted that artificial intelligence, software, and industrial experience must advance together. The general director for Spain and Portugal, Sergio Martín, has noted that the new centre will help adapt to the challenges of a sector undergoing transformation.
"Artificial intelligence, software, and industrial experience must advance together"
The project's focus will be on developing physical AI solutions for various markets. The company aims to combine software, computer vision, and automation so that robots can take on more varied tasks in industrial environments. The work will encompass advanced assembly, industrial processes, and internal logistics. Autonomous mobile robots, known as AMR, will play a prominent role in intralogistics, an area where flexibility and safety are crucial. The solutions will target sectors such as automotive, logistics, electronics, and consumer goods, both in the Iberian Peninsula and other markets.
Marc Segura has also highlighted the issue of robotic density. In his view, Catalonia and Spain lag behind powers like China, except in the automotive sector, and it is important to invest to improve competitiveness. The company insists that autonomy and versatility will be key for robotics to reach more businesses and not just remain in large factories.
The project includes plans to expand collaboration with universities, technology centres, and training entities. The goal is to strengthen capabilities in robotics, automation, software, and artificial intelligence, as well as to bring these technologies closer to the productive fabric. Representatives from the Sabadell Chamber of Commerce, ACCIÓ, and UPC, among other stakeholders, participated in the presentation.
The president of the Sabadell Chamber of Commerce, Ramon Alberich, has valued the consolidation of a knowledge-intensive activity in Vallès Occidental. From ACCIÓ, Joan Romero has described the initiative as a flagship project for Catalonia and highlighted its ability to bring innovation to businesses. UPC, for its part, has insisted on the connection between university and industry to train qualified professionals.
The new headquarters also aims to be a meeting place for clients and specialists. With laboratories, training, and collaborative spaces, ABB Robotics intends for the solutions not to remain as mere demonstrations and to be tested before implementation. The opening is scheduled for 2028.
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