ABB Robotics has launched two compact industrial robots designed to improve speed and accuracy in precision manufacturing, with the company claiming cycle times up to 20% shorter than comparable models on the market.
The IRB 1700 and IRB 1700ID are aimed at applications across electronics, automotive and general manufacturing, including material handling, arc welding, deburring, sanding and machine tending.
The five variants offer payloads ranging from 6kg to 12kg and are powered by ABB’s OmniCore controllers. The company says the robots can achieve path repeatability of 0.03mm and joint speeds of up to 70 degrees per second.
The robots are also designed to reduce operating costs. ABB claims power consumption is up to 15% lower than its predecessor, the IRB 1600, when both operate with the same payload using OmniCore controllers. Service intervals of up to 20,000 hours between oil changes are intended to reduce maintenance requirements.
“Precision manufacturing across sectors from electronics, automotive, to general industries is facing the pressure to produce more, while maintaining quality and reducing operating costs,” said Craig McDonnell, Managing Director of Business Line IKndustries at ABB Robotics. “The IRB 1700 family addresses these challenges with a new level of speed, accuracy, reliability and energy efficiency.”
The robots have a footprint 50% smaller than their predecessor, according to ABB. The IRB 1700ID uses the company’s integrated dressing design, which routes cables and hoses inside the robot arm to simplify installation and reduce the space required for external cabling.
ABB also highlighted potential applications in electronics manufacturing, including the assembly of AI server racks, as demand for computing infrastructure grows.
The launch adds to ABB Robotics’ portfolio of industrial automation hardware and software, which includes programming tools, AI-assisted robot training and automated collision-free path planning. These tools are intended to help manufacturers configure robotic systems and plan production processes.
The IRB 1700 and IRB 1700ID made their public debut at the China International Industry Fair in Shanghai, held from 12th to 16th October 2026, where ABB demonstrated arc welding and sanding applications.
