Which technologies do you consult on?

All of the major location, identification and IoT technologies: RTLS (UWB, BLE, Wi-Fi), RFID (passive, active and RAIN UHF), industrial IoT and sensors, GPS and GNSS, AGV and AMR robot fleets, and hybrid stacks that combine them. We recommend the right mix for each zone and use case, not a single technology.

Are you really vendor-neutral?

Yes. We do not sell hardware or a software platform of our own, and we take no resale commissions, so our technology and vendor recommendations serve your outcome rather than a product we need to move.

Do you work outside the UK?

We are UK-based and work across Europe and internationally, delivering in English, German and French. Engagements can be remote or on-site depending on the work.

What does a consulting engagement include?

Typically discovery and requirements, vendor-neutral technology selection, vendor evaluation and RFP support, ROI and business case, solution architecture, and an implementation roadmap. We scope each engagement to where you are.

Can you help after the decision is made?

Yes. We work across the full lifecycle - we can also deploy, integrate, and operate the system, so you can keep one independent team from business case through to live operation.

How do we get started?

Usually with a short call or a fixed-fee discovery to scope the problem, followed by a proposal with clear deliverables, timeline and fees. There is no obligation and no platform pitch.

VENDOR PROFILE · AMR / AGV / ROBOTS

ABB Robotics — independent vendor assessment.

ABB is one of the global Big-4 industrial-robot suppliers and now a significant AMR player after acquiring ASTI Mobile Robotics. This is TRACIO's vendor-neutral assessment — where ABB leads on enterprise-scale automation, and where AMR specialists fit better.

Book a 30-minute scoping call

Who they are

ABB Robotics & Discrete Automation (part of ABB Ltd, SIX: ABBN) is a Swiss-headquartered industrial automation giant.

The robotics portfolio covers fixed industrial robots (IRB series, the dominant articulated-arm range globally), the YuMi collaborative robot range, and AMRs/AGVs through the 2021 acquisition of ASTI Mobile Robotics (Spanish, latent-AGV and tow-AGV expertise).

Strong PickMaster vision systems and RobotStudio simulation.

Where they're strongest

Enterprise-scale industrial automation where AMRs/AGVs are part of a broader robotics + PLC + process-automation architecture. Deep integration with ABB Ability digital platform.

Strong reference base in automotive, electronics and discrete manufacturing globally. For enterprises already running ABB process automation, the AMR proposition is a natural extension.

Where they're not the right answer

ABB AMR (the former ASTI line) is technically credible but smaller-scale than dedicated AMR specialists for e-commerce fulfillment or warehouse pick-assist.

For pure mobile-only deployments without surrounding industrial automation context, OTTO/MiR/Geek+ specialists often deliver faster. Pricing is at the enterprise end — not the budget-conscious option.

How they compare

Versus KUKA: similar enterprise-industrial scope; KUKA stronger in automotive; ABB broader portfolio. Versus FANUC: FANUC dominates articulated arms in automotive; ABB stronger in process and AMR mix.

Versus OTTO/MiR: ABB wins where the buyer wants integrated automation supplier; OTTO/MiR win where AMR-only and ease-of-deployment matters.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is ABB AMR (ex-ASTI) competitive?

Yes for industrial latent-AGV and tow applications. For warehouse goods-to-person or pick-assist, dedicated AMR specialists generally lead. Evaluate per use case.

How does ABB Ability integrate with RTLS?

Through standard OPC UA and REST APIs into the broader ABB Ability digital-twin and asset-performance layers. See /integrations/scada-opcua.

ABB or KUKA for an automotive plant?

Both credible. Decision usually comes down to existing automation supplier relationship, plant-level standardisation and the specific cell-design requirement.

Does ABB support VDA 5050?

Active development on the AMR product line. Verify specific firmware versions during vendor scrutiny for multi-vendor European fleets.

Last updated: 26 May 2026