PBA Group to open non-profit robotics hub

SINGAPORE-BASED PBA (Precision Bearings and Automation) Group plans to open a non-profit robotics hub in June that will help smaller business and factory owners understand more about the various robotics solutions available.

Upon opening, the Robotics Automation Centre of Excellence (Race) will house roughly 20 to 30 robots and four to six full-time employees. PBA plans to place only robots that are "initially relevant to their industry" at the hub, but will constantly work to increase the kinds of robots available, as well as any other supplementary technology.

The PBA Group owns 20 companies in total, each specialising in every part of the automation chain. Starting out as a bearings and mechanical components trading company, the group has since branched out into various other sectors such as contract manufacturing, aerospace components distribution, spindle repair and IT services. It represents and distributes robots from various manufacturers, but also produces its own robots and customised solutions.