ABB announced that it has started construction of its new robotics manufacturing and research facility in Kangqiao of Pudong New Area, Shanghai on Thursday. China is the world’s largest robotics market, and the facility is expected to open in 2021 with a total investment of $150 million. Local officials, ABB customers, suppliers and partners, as well as ABB senior executives, took part in the ground breaking ceremony. ABB Robotics has three factories worldwide: the new factory in Shanghai, which will replace the existing one there, will support customers in Asia. The factory in Västerås, Sweden, supplies customers in Europe and the Auburn Hills factory in Michigan supports the Americans. Photos: Lu Ting/GT