Breaking new ground in the world of FIA-sanctioned single-seater championships, global technology company and leader in electrification, robotics and motion ABB joins the FIA Formula E Championship as the series' title partner, to form the newly-named ABB FIA Formula E Championship.
Announcing the multi-year partnership in London - the home of Formula E - was the series' Founder and CEO Alejandro Agag and CEO of ABB Ulrich Spiesshofer, who spoke in front of special guests and media at the Saatchi Gallery.
Founded in 1988 through the coming together of ASEA of Sweden and Switzerland's BBC (formerly known as Brown Boveri), ABB has decades of experience at the forefront of digital technologies, with over 70,000 control systems connecting 70 million devices in over 100 countries.
With projects ranging from Solar Impulse, the first solar-powered flight around the world, to rapid electric car charging infrastructure and YuMi, the world's first truly collaborative human sized dual-arm robot, ABB has more than 125-years of experience in developing innovative technology for multiple industries. "Our two companies are synonymous with pushing the boundaries of what is possible," said Alejandro Agag at the event. With Formula E serving as a competitive platform for global car manufacturers and mobility providers to test and develop road-relevant technologies, both ABB and Formula E share the same vision of a future where electric mobility is the preferred form of transportation.
"Today, two pioneers are uniting. ABB and Formula E are a natural fit at the forefront of the latest electrification and digital technologies,” said ABB CEO Ulrich Spiesshofer. “Together, we will write the next phase of this exciting sports activity and foster high-performance teams." With two rounds complete and another 12 remaining in the ABB FIA Formula E Championship, the series will benefit from this coming together of two major players in vehicle electrification and digitalisation.
The announcement comes in the wake of global vehicle manufacturers Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Nissan joining the series within the next year, adding to the long list of car companies using Formula E to drive forward the development of road-ready mobility technology.
With more electric technology currently being showcased at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, the race to advance the future of mobility is well underway with companies like Formula E and ABB at the forefront. With 12 rounds of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship left to play for, the world's first all-electric racing series is about to get a whole lot more interesting in 2018.