Ford Orders Up 300 Robots From Swiss Startup Acquired by ABB

ABB Ltd.has acquired Swiss startup Sevensense as it aims to become a market leader in mobile robots with AI sensors that can do jobs in manufacturing, mining, retail and health care.

The Swiss industrial conglomerate, which previously had a minority stake in Sevensense, has been adding the startup’s sensor and AI technology to its own robots. ABB’s current biggest project is for Ford Motor Co.’s major assembly plant in Tennessee, where more than 300 robots will be deployed this year alone.

While ABB didn’t disclose the price of the deal, it expects to sell tens of thousands of ...