Obama and Merkel inspired by ABB’s ground-breaking digital technology at Hanover Fair

The two leaders were shown how ABB’s smart sensor can improve the productivity of hundreds of millions of electric motors by connecting them for the first time to cloud-based services.

At the ABB stand, Merkel and Obama heard how the smart sensor can be applied to the vast majority of low-voltage motors, whether new or already in use, making it possible to improve efficiency, reduce downtime and save money. The digital solution will for the first time enable LV motors to be integrated into the expanding Internet of Things, Services and People.

Accompanied by ABB CEO Ulrich Spiesshofer, Greg Scheu, President of ABB’s Americas region and Hans-Georg Krabbe, Country Managing Director of ABB in Germany, the two leaders watched a YuMi robot demonstrate how easy it is to attach the smart sensor to an LV motor. Through a wireless connection to the Internet, the motor’s performance data was displayed on a large screen, demonstrating how unexpected breakdowns can be avoided and energy consumption reduced.

"The smart sensor enables transcontinental industrial digitalization," said Spiesshofer. "The sensor reduces the downtime of motors by up to 70 percent, extends their life span by up to 30 percent, and cuts energy consumption by as much as 10 percent. If all industrial electric motors worldwide were equipped with our smart sensors, the energy savings would be equivalent to the output of 100 large power plants."

The smart sensor has attracted considerable attention in Hanover, not just from President Obama and Chancellor Merkel, but from a wide range of potential customers who stand to benefit from its adoption. It will be made available on the market later this year.

About ABB

ABB (www.abb.com) is a leading global technology company in power and automation that enables utility, industry, and transport & infrastructure customers to improve their performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in roughly 100 countries and employs about 135,000 people.