The industrial automation landscape has long been defined by the challenge of making disparate systems communicate effectively. While collaborative robots, or cobots, have democratized automation by allowing humans and machines to work side-by-side, the infrastructure around them often remains stubbornly complex. A significant development in this arena was announced in August 2025, as Regal Rexnord Corporation and ABB Robotics revealed a new partnership aimed at streamlining the deployment of ABB’s GoFa cobot series. The core of this collaboration is the integration of ABB’s cobots with Thomson’s Cobot Transfer Units (CTUs), a move that seeks to remove the traditional barriers of programming and communication that have historically slowed down multi-station automation projects.
The announcement, which originated from Milwaukee and was disseminated via a press release on 2025-08-05, marks a notable shift in how these two industrial heavyweights intend to approach the market. Regal Rexnord, a diversified manufacturer, brings to the table its Thomson brand, which is recognized as a leading name in linear motion technology. ABB Robotics, on the other hand, contributes its GoFa cobot line, which is designed for a range of payload applications. The partnership is not merely a marketing agreement; it is a technical certification. Specifically, the Thomson Movotrak CTU has been designated as the first cobot 7th axis technology that ABB Robotics has certified for use within its partner ecosystem. This certification is a critical distinction, as it signals that the integration between the two products has been validated by ABB, moving it beyond a simple compatibility claim to a sanctioned solution.
For observers of the robotics sector, this move represents a pragmatic response to a persistent pain point. The concept of a 7th axis is not new; it refers to an external linear axis that extends the reach of a robotic arm, allowing it to move along a track to service multiple workstations or perform tasks over a larger area. However, the implementation of such systems has often been fraught with technical hurdles. The source material explicitly notes that, prior to this collaboration, anyone wishing to use a single, plug-and-play ABB cobot across multiple workstations could face days of programming and communications challenges. This friction point is precisely what the new partnership aims to eliminate. By preconfiguring the Movotrak CTU to interact directly with ABB cobots, the companies are attempting to deliver a solution that works "right out of the box," thereby reducing the technical burden on integrators, distributors, and end-users alike.
The strategic importance of this announcement is underscored by the commentary from leadership at both organizations. Louis Pinkham, CEO of Regal Rexnord, framed the collaboration as a demonstration of how the company’s broad technological portfolio can be assembled into high-impact, customer-ready solutions. He specifically referenced the technical expertise pooled from several of Regal Rexnord’s brands, including Thomson, Kollmorgen, Boston Gear, and Huco, to create a seamless 7th axis system for the ABB Robotics partner ecosystem. This is a significant point, as it indicates that the solution is not just a simple track and cart system, but a fully integrated assembly that leverages multiple engineering disciplines from within the Regal Rexnord family. Pinkham’s statement emphasizes the goal of enabling customers to unlock greater productivity and flexibility in their automation strategies, a value proposition that resonates strongly in an era where manufacturers are seeking to maximize output from existing assets.
Complementing Pinkham’s strategic overview, Kevin Zaba, EVP at Regal Rexnord, provided a more granular look at the operational benefits. Zaba echoed the sentiment regarding the historical difficulties of multi-station cobot deployment, reiterating that the preconfigured nature of the Movotrak CTU ensures rapid deployment. His comments highlight a shift in focus for the end-user: instead of spending valuable engineering hours on complex integration details, users can now invest that time in solving actual productivity problems using the 7th axis. This framing is crucial, as it positions the technology not as an end in itself, but as a tool for enabling broader operational efficiency. The message is clear: the complexity has been absorbed by the manufacturers, allowing the customer to focus on the application.
Product and availability details
While the announcement provides a clear strategic rationale, specific product and availability details are more nuanced. The source material confirms that the collaboration centers on ABB’s GoFa cobot line. Specifically, the GoFa cobots are available in configurations capable of handling payloads up to 5kg, 10kg, and 12kg. This range suggests that the integrated system is designed to cater to a variety of light-to-medium duty applications, from machine tending and pick-and-place to assembly and inspection tasks. The compatibility of the Thomson Movotrak CTU with these specific payload variants is a key technical detail, as it defines the operational envelope of the combined system.
The Thomson Movotrak CTU itself is described as a 7th Axis Cobot Transfer Unit. The term "transfer unit" is indicative of its function: to move the cobot along a linear path to different positions. The certification by ABB Robotics is the headline feature, making it the first such unit to receive this official endorsement within the ABB partner ecosystem. This certification is not a trivial matter; it implies that ABB has tested or reviewed the integration to ensure it meets certain standards of performance and safety, providing a level of assurance to buyers that a generic, uncertified third-party axis might not offer.
However, the source material is notably sparse on certain commercial details that buyers would typically seek. For instance, there is no mention of a specific list price for the Thomson Movotrak CTU or the integrated system. Similarly, the announcement does not disclose lead times for ordering or delivery. The source material does not specify whether the system is available for order immediately or if there is a phased rollout. It also does not mention any specific geographic availability, though the press release originated from the United States, and both ABB and Regal Rexnord are global entities. The absence of these details is not an oversight in reporting but rather a reflection of what was officially disclosed. The announcement focuses on the technical certification and the strategic partnership, leaving commercial specifics to be negotiated between the vendors and their customers.
Another aspect that remains undefined is the precise nature of the "preconfiguration." The source material states that the Movotrak CTU has been preconfigured to ensure rapid deployment and to interact directly with ABB cobots without additional effort. Yet, it does not detail the specific software drivers, communication protocols, or hardware interfaces that were aligned to achieve this plug-and-play functionality. For a technical audience, this level of abstraction is common in high-level press releases, but it leaves room for questions about the exact scope of the integration. Does the preconfiguration cover all three GoFa payload variants? Are there specific safety certifications that the combined system holds? These questions are not answered in the source text.
Furthermore, the announcement does not delve into the physical specifications of the CTU itself. There is no information on the length of the track, the maximum travel speed, or the repeatability of the positioning. These are critical parameters for an engineer designing a cell around the system. The lack of such data suggests that the initial announcement is intended to establish the partnership and the certification, with detailed technical specifications likely to be provided in product datasheets or through direct inquiries to the manufacturers. For the purposes of this editorial, it is important to state clearly what is known—the partnership, the certification, and the payload range—and to flag what is not disclosed, such as pricing, lead times, and detailed technical specs.
What it means for buyers
For integrators, distributors, and end-users, this announcement carries several implications that could influence their automation procurement strategies. The most immediate benefit is the potential reduction in engineering time and cost. Historically, integrating a 7th axis with a cobot required significant programming effort to synchronize the motion of the robot with the movement of the track. Communication protocols had to be established, safety zones had to be configured, and timing sequences had to be perfected. The source material is explicit about this pain point, noting that these tasks could consume days of effort. By offering a certified, preconfigured solution, ABB and Regal Rexnord are effectively transferring that engineering burden from the customer to the manufacturers. This allows the customer’s engineering team to focus on the specific application—the actual manufacturing process—rather than on the integration plumbing.
This shift is particularly significant for system integrators. Integrators often operate on tight margins and schedules, and any reduction in commissioning time directly improves project profitability. A certified solution also reduces the risk associated with integration. When an integrator uses components from multiple vendors that have not been officially validated to work together, they assume the risk of unforeseen technical issues. With the ABB certification, that risk is mitigated, as the two vendors have already done the heavy lifting to ensure compatibility. This could make the Thomson Movotrak CTU a more attractive option for integrators who are building standardized solutions around ABB cobots.
For end-users, the value proposition is centered on flexibility and productivity. The ability to use a single cobot across multiple workstations is a powerful concept. Instead of purchasing multiple robots for different tasks, a manufacturer could deploy one cobot on a track and move it between stations as needed. This approach can lower the capital expenditure for automation, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that may have limited budgets. The "right out of the box" deployment claim is also critical for end-users who may not have deep in-house robotics expertise. A simpler integration process lowers the barrier to entry, making advanced automation more accessible.
However, buyers should also approach this announcement with a clear understanding of its scope. While the certification is a strong signal of compatibility, it does not necessarily mean that every possible application is covered. The source material specifies the GoFa cobot payload range (5kg, 10kg, 12kg), but it does not provide exhaustive details on the environmental conditions, duty cycles, or specific application types that the system is certified for. Buyers will need to consult with the manufacturers to ensure the system meets their specific requirements. Additionally, the lack of disclosed pricing means that buyers cannot yet assess the cost-benefit ratio of this solution compared to other 7th axis options on the market. The absence of lead time information also makes it difficult to plan for implementation schedules.
Another consideration is the ecosystem aspect. The fact that this is the first ABB-certified 7th axis for its partner ecosystem is a notable milestone, but it also implies that ABB is likely to certify more options in the future. Buyers who choose the Thomson Movotrak CTU now are making a bet on this specific solution, but they are also entering a market that is likely to become more competitive. The certification process itself is a signal that ABB is taking the 7th axis category seriously, which could lead to more innovation and potentially more options for buyers down the line. For now, the Thomson Movotrak CTU holds the distinction of being the first, which can be a significant advantage for early adopters who want to be ahead of the curve.
Ultimately, the partnership between ABB and Regal Rexnord represents a maturation of the cobot market. As cobots become more prevalent, the focus is shifting from the robot arm itself to the peripherals and integration solutions that make them truly useful in a factory setting. The 7th axis is a prime example of this, as it transforms a stationary robot into a flexible, mobile resource. By certifying the Thomson Movotrak CTU, ABB is signaling that it wants to make this transformation as seamless as possible for its customers. The success of this partnership will likely be measured by how quickly the market adopts the solution and whether it delivers on the promise of reduced integration time and increased productivity. The announcement sets the stage, but the real-world performance in factories will be the ultimate test.
Sources
- https://www.therobotreport.com/abb-regal-rexnord-partner-on-7th-axis/
Published by Vigla Media OÜ (Estonia).