ABB Takes a Smart View of the Future

February 13, 2018

At its 2018 Pre-Light + Building media event in Frankfurt, ABB showcased its range of connected smarter building and e-mobility solutions that will transform the way we all live, work and play now and in the future, to over 100 participants from 10 countries.

Mike Mustapha, Group Senior Vice President Marketing, Sales and Commercial Operations of Electrification Products division, got the event on track with insight into the company’s strategy for e-mobility and smart buildings, together with winning news about the company’s title sponsorship of the world’s first fully electric international FIA motorsport series. ABB and Formula E are teaming up in a ground-breaking partnership to champion e-mobility for a sustainable future.

Then, in the modern surroundings of the architecturally renowned Westhafen Tower, Michael Lofty, Global Commercial manager of Building Automation set the futuristic scene, with a vision of the megatrends in digitalization and urbanization, such as the increasing demand for smart solutions like voice assistants and the prediction that we will see 30 mega cities across the globe by 2023, that are driving demand for smarter building and mobility solutions.

In response, Axel Kaiser, ABB’s Global Product manager of Building Automation, took the audience on a journey through ABB’s home and building automation technology solutions, focusing on the growing need for connectivity and interoperability.

As a perfect example, ABB then unveiled its latest addition to its portfolio of connected building solutions, the ABB-tacteo KNX sensor. The individually-configurable control element for intelligent building management of luxury hotels, public buildings and high-class residential buildings, impressed with its slim, frameless, glass design.

The presentations concluded with a fascinating exploration of the rapidly growing EV charging sector from Frank Mühlon, who provided insight into ABB’s role in helping both to establish initial standards for charging infrastructure and to drive the sectors future development, with fast, cloud connected DC charging solutions for car and bus.

The audience then had the opportunity to engage in an exciting roundtable debate on the future for smarter buildings and e-mobility, in which ABB’s Bernhard Dörstel, Adalbert Neumann and Frank Mühlon were joined on stage by representatives from mozaiq, Sonos and futurist trend agency, Trendone.

Turning fiction into reality, the second day of the conference focused on bringing ABB’s smarter building and e-mobility solutions to life. First stop was a visit to an Aldi car park, to showcase the latest Terra HP 53 fast DC charger charging a BMW i3 in under 40 minutes.

Next was a tour of the Lyoner Caree, in the so called ‘Office City’ on the outskirts of Frankfurt, which provided a perfect opportunity to see the megatrend of urbanization brought to life. Modern building automation solutions with ABB-free@home® and ABB-Welcome solutions are installed as state-of-the-art technology for added comfort and security.

Finally, the day concluded with a visit to the latest generation Holiday Inn at Frankfurt Airport, which specified the integration of ABB i-bus® KNX technology and ABB’s future linear® light switch range in its 228 bedrooms, meeting rooms and communal spaces.

Commenting on the success of the event, Mike Mustapha said: “The future is already here and it’s exciting! Our solutions are making a huge difference to the way people live, work and play and people are switching on to the benefits they bring. We’re smarter than ever before and it is this growing network of connectivity and interoperability that will not only make life much more comfortable and efficient, but safer and environmentally friendly. It’s a future we should all be proud of.”