New ABB Robots Boost Speed With Smaller Footprint
The IRB 1700 series enables 20% faster cycle times and occupies half the space of previous industrial robot models.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Robotics
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ABB Robotics has officially launched the IRB 1700 and IRB 1700ID industrial robot series, now available globally for manufacturing applications. These systems are designed to improve efficiency with high-speed performance and a reduced physical footprint compared to previous models.
Why it matters
Manufacturers are increasingly pressured to boost throughput and precision while simultaneously lowering operational overhead. This launch addresses those efficiency demands through hardware upgrades that minimize both spatial requirements and power consumption.
The IRB 1700 series offers a path repeatability of 0.03 millimeters with joint speeds reaching 700 degrees per second. These machines support payloads of 6 to 12 kilograms and feature a 50 percent smaller footprint than their predecessor.
The players
ABB Robotics
A global manufacturer of industrial robots and automation software focused on high-precision factory systems.
The details
The robots run on OmniCore controllers, a hardware platform designed for precise motion control and faster processing. The IRB 1700ID variant utilizes an integrated dressing design, which routes cables and hoses inside the robotic arm rather than externally. This internal routing reduces the risk of entanglement and wear during high-speed, repetitive movements. Maintenance cycles are also extended to 20,000 hours between oil changes.
Timeline
October 21, 2026: ABB Robotics launched the IRB 1700 and IRB 1700ID industrial robots.
The Tech Race
This release advances the industry trend toward space-efficient automation that maintains high throughput. It directly updates the performance capabilities of the existing ABB Robotics industrial portfolio to compete with current high-speed factory automation standards.
Manufacturing floor managers can expect 20 percent faster cycle times for assembly and material handling tasks. The reduced footprint allows for higher-density installation in existing factory layouts compared to older, larger units.
The takeaway
The IRB 1700 shifts the efficiency benchmark for medium-payload industrial arms by significantly shrinking the required floor space. Future performance gains in this sector will likely be measured by how well companies balance this increased speed against long-term maintenance costs.
Further reading
For broader trends in factory automation hardware, see our recent analysis in Robotics.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Supply and Demand Chain Executive.
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