An artist's view of the robot factory that Swiss industrial conglomerate ABB Group will build in Pudong, Shanghai. [Photo/abb.com.cn]

Swiss industrial conglomerate ABB Group announced on Oct 27 that it will invest $150 million to build its "largest and most advanced" robot factory in Pudong New Area, Shanghai.

The new factory will use cutting-edge digital technologies like machine learning to manufacture a wide range of industrial robots. It will also focus on innovative artificial intelligence research.

It is expected to start operation by the end of 2020 with an annual capacity of around 100,000 robots.

Ulrich Spiesshofer, CEO of ABB Group, said they have strong confidence in the Chinese market and China's strategies of industrial upgrading, urbanization and the Belt and Road Initiative match theirs.

The company also signed a comprehensive strategic cooperation agreement with the municipal government on supporting industry, energy, transport and infrastructure in the region, in relation to the "Made in Shanghai" manufacturing initiative proposed by local authorities last year.

Spiesshofer said that China's use of cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, robots and cloud computing to transform its manufacturing industry is a reference to other countries that intend to become a manufacturing base with global competitiveness.

He said that the company will expand its presence in China as Shanghai has become a vital center for advanced technology leadership and an active artificial intelligence hub for the world.

ABB Group now has about 40 subsidiaries and 18,000 employees in 142 cities across China. Its Chinese businesses involve R&D, manufacturing, sales, and engineering.

ABB Group signs a comprehensive strategic cooperation agreement with the Shanghai municipal government on supporting industry, energy, transport and infrastructure in the region on Oct 27. [Photo/WeChat account: zhangjiangfabu]