How 2Heads and ABB Created ABBigail

Reimagining Robotics with AI Storytelling

When ABB, a global leader in automation and robotics, set out to make an impact at Automatica 2025, they partnered with 2Heads to do more than just showcase products—they wanted to tell a story. At this premier trade fair for intelligent automation, ABB unveiled new robots, software tools, and next-gen automation processes aimed at democratising robotics programming, especially for the manufacturing and automotive sectors. Their ambition extended beyond innovation—they were also exploring the frontier of physical AGI (Artificial General Intelligence), pushing the limits of autonomy and versatility in robotics.

But ABB needed more than demos. They needed a unifying narrative—one that could connect hundreds of products, teams, and innovations in a way that resonated with both customers and internal stakeholders.

Enter ABBigail: a bilingual, AI-powered metahuman created by Karoline Winzer and the 2Heads team. More than just a digital guide, ABBigail became the emotionally engaging, knowledgeable face of ABB’s vision—bridging complexity with clarity and bringing a human touch to cutting-edge technology.

Meet ABBgail: Bilingual, Brilliant, and Built for Engagement

ABBgail is not your average digital assistant. She is an AI metahuman who is capable of synthesizing ABB’s vast data set and presenting it as a character in fluent English and German. Her custom AI backends, allow her to:

● Explain the technical specs of every ABB robot at the show

● Connect individual product lines to sustainability initiatives

● Guide attendees with real-time knowledge of the show floor and ABB’s partners

● Support ABB staff with on-the-fly technical clarification

Her superpower? Unlike human specialists focused on narrow fields, ABBgail offered a macro view of ABB’s entire offering. She drew connections between software and hardware, sustainability and strategy, product and purpose; in a way no single employee could.

More than functional, ABBigail was designed with a personality and a backstory that made her relatable, respectable, and capable – engaging audience and staff alike.

How ABBigail Was Built

Over a four-week sprint, Karoline Winzer led the creative development of ABBgail through multiple phases:

1. Persona Design: ABBigail was designed as a capable, 38-year-old robotics engineer with 8 years of lab experience. She wasn’t “just” a helpful face, she was senior, respected, and grounded in the field of robotics.

2. Tone of Voice + Brand Alignment: Karoline carefully crafted ABBgail’s tone to be informative but approachable, authoritative but warm. ABBgail had to sound like ABB and feel like someone you’d trust to lead a team.

3. Collaboration + Integration: Working closely with Unreal Engine developer Connor Summerhill and the in-house engineering team, 2Heads built ABBigail, fed her ABB’s vast technical library, and continuously tested her responsiveness, realism, and accuracy. The team conducted extensive quality assurance with the ABB team and with native speakers, to ensure meaningful communication across multiple languages.

Ethics, Gender, and the AI Persona Paradox

Creating ABBigail raised essential ethical questions. As Karoline explains: “There were two elements to this – usefulness and perception. We wanted to build something which genuinely augmented the ability of ABB staff on the stand instead of using AI to replace people. That’s where ABBigail’s ability to synthesise data and draw on specific technical details came in. But there was also that perception element. There’s a real tension in how AI chatbots are represented, often as female, often as subservient. We didn’t want ABBigail to be another passive assistant, and keep in step with that idea of usefulness. So we designed her character as a confident and capable woman, leading a team, doing an awesome job. She reflects the incredible work already being done by women in this industry, and encourages people to normalise that.”

By giving her a credible backstory, a grounded persona, and a place at the table, ABBgail broke the mold. She wasn’t a gimmick. She was a functional team member, used extensively by both visitors and ABB staff.

That said, this project also raised larger concerns, particularly around overreliance on AI. As Karoline notes: “AI is a tool, not a god. If we stop being curious, looking for answers, and stop doing the hard

work ourselves, we risk losing critical thinking, creativity, and accuracy. As we continue to build out these AI tools, we must do so responsibly and use them with caution.”

2Heads also emphasized the sustainability implications of AI and large language models. ABBigail was optimised for efficiency, but the industry at large must wrestle with the energy consumption of AI systems and weigh their benefits against their carbon cost.

Where Do We Go From Here?

ABBgail marks a turning point for trade show storytelling. She showed how digital humans can enhance emotional connection, bridge silos of expertise, and provide attendees with a richer, more meaningful experience.

But as 2Heads believe, the future is not just about what AI can do. It’s about how we choose to use AI, with creativity, caution, and care.

Final Thoughts

ABBgail wasn’t just a character. She was a challenge. A challenge to the status quo of AI personas. A challenge to how brands shows up in the age of autonomy. And a challenge to us all to keep humans at the heart of the machine.

Creative Direction: Karoline Winzer | Engineering + Development: 2Heads Studio

About Karoline Winzer

At 2Heads, Karoline fuses code and creativity to dream up interactive adventures for theme parks and bold brands. She’s all about building tech with heart where innovation meets imagination and experiences are made to matter.