value creation and new business models in automation

Whitepaper

THE FUTURE OF AUTOMATION – PART 3

VALUE CREATION AND NEW BUSINESS MODELS IN AUTOMATION

VALUE CREATION AND NEW BUSINESS MODELS IN AUTOMATION | 2

Contents

1. The influence of digitalization on industrial automation 1.1 The requirements of plant/machine builders and operators are changing 1.2 Automation suppliers must rethink 1.3 Trend towards decentralization, intelligent technology and services

2. Developing new value creation potentials and business models 2.1 The key lies in modern automation solutions 2.2 Advantages of a platform approach or ecosystem 2.3 Taking an example: use cases for new business models

3. Looking ahead 3.1 The field service of the future 3.2 Role of AI/machine learning in automation

VALUE CREATION AND NEW BUSINESS MODELS IN AUTOMATION

Like many other sectors, the industry is in the midst of change. Increasing digitalization and networking give rise to new technologies and processes, but, above all, create significant potential for automation and optimization. A completely new world of automation is being created. It thrives on the fact that the capa-bilities of control technology, IT and IoT work in meaningful interplay and can be ideally ex-ploited.

Heterogeneous solutions of the past are giving way to flexible value creation systems. Rigid and complex automation systems are therefore gradually being replaced by open platforms that meet today’s requirements for networ-king, flexibility, individualization and speed in industrial processes. The overriding goals are process optimization and increased efficiency as well as the creation of new business mo-dels and higher added value.

1.1 The requirements of plant/machi-ne builders and operators are chan-ging

A major driver of change in industrial automation are the changing requirements of plant and machine builders and operators. This raises the chicken-and-egg question: Does increasing digitalization create the need for new opportunities and technologies for greater efficiency? Or do developments in the manufacturing sector such as greater individualization, increased competitive pressure and globalization demand digitalized solutions to meet these challenges? The answer is: The de-velopments influence each other. The increa-sing digitalization that drives change proces-ses therefore does not fulfill an end in itself, but is essentially aimed at optimizations, work-load reduction and increasing efficiency.


1. The influence of digitalization on industrial automation


For automation, this means: Today, it must meet various criteria and lead to a solution as quickly as possible. It no longer only assu-mes actual control tasks, but increasingly also service tasks, following the example of IT, in which business models like “as a service” are already standard. Here, uncomplicated retro-fitting of functions, software and services is just as high in demand as simple maintenance of the automation devices, remote access and central management.

The simple, secure provision and processing of the required data for the purpose of optimi-zing production processes and value creation is also becoming increasingly important.

These and other requirements are no longer solved by improved mechanics, but by mecha-tronic or purely software-based solutions.

Plant and machine builders pursue these and other goals through digitalization and auto-mation solutions:

1. Cost savingsThe trend in mechanical engineering is moving away from monolithic systems towards modu-larization in hardware and software. Existing partial solutions can be interlocked with new

solutions and the strengths of all components can be used as required, each concentrating on their core tasks. This reduces complexity and effort, e.g., for care and maintenance. In addition, savings can be achieved by automa-ting processes – from configuration to com-missioning.

Simulation or the digital twin is an increasing-ly used technology in mechanical engineering. Digital twin applications serve to visually re-produce machines, buildings or systems, and can also be used to better understand and op-timize real procedures and processes visually – without having to intervene in reality.

2. Shorter lead timesDigital twins also play a role in another essential requirement: short lead times. A very short time-to-market and a minimized time-to-money create decisive competitive advantages. The shortest possible lead time


strengthens the market position, while also increasing customer satisfaction.

Digital twins, for example, enable shorter lead times. They can optimize not only the produc-tion processes through prognoses, but also the understanding of real-world system per-formance and operations. For example, machi-nes can be assembled fully functional and put into operation virtually with just a few mouse clicks.

This way, faults can be detected and elimina-ted before a plant or machine is commissio-ned, for example.

3. New business modelsDigitization not only affects the product and the entire manufacturing process, but also gives rise to new business models. In the course of the digital transformation, products, plants and machines are developing into va-lue-adding systems, for example with service models such as remote support. The benefits of remote assistance solutions became parti-cularly apparent during the coronavirus pan-demic and have established themselves as a new business model.

More and more manufacturing companies are expanding their product range to include ser-vice offerings, thus presenting their customers with a combination of material goods and ser-vices. Digitalization also plays a major role in

this innovative approach. This business model is based entirely on the networking of pro-ducts and services (servitization).

In addition, pay-per-use models are increa-singly gaining ground in the mechanical engi-neering sector. This means machine builders no longer offer their products for sale, but as a service. In other words, they rent out ma-chine capacity. The billing models include various parameters. These can be hours in operation, capacity utilization or the output produced. These financing models are made possible by the end-to-end networking and automation of plants and machinery, as these create the data required to analyze the under-lying parameters.


Plant and machine users also have a high motivation for digitalization and automation. They are particularly interested in these

three areas:

1. Increased productivityToday, plant and machine builders are measu-red not only by quality, but also by producti-vity. Short delivery times are high in demand. Productivity can be increased through various adjustments in automation. For example, digi-tal process monitoring leads to transparency and enables optimization. Also, those who re-cognize errors in time can avoid productivity losses and downtimes. This error detection can be mapped by artificial intelligence (AI).

In addition, predictive maintenance and failu-re diagnostics solutions can increase produc-tivity, and digital assistants can provide faster fault resolution.

2. Fewer resources requiredDigitalization enables automated processes, saving resources in production. At the same time, service portals, remote support and the targeted evaluation of machine data ensure

higher productivity. Through online platforms, expert knowledge is digitally available world-wide at any time and can be quickly and easily translated into the local language if required. Among other things, this allows production lo-cations with higher wage costs to regain their competitive edge.

3. More flexible productionEver-shorter product lifecycles, more complex products and smaller batch sizes require ma-nufacturing companies to be very flexible and adaptable. Using appropriate digitization solu-tions, new production parameters can be quick-ly imported and mapped via software. Solu-tions for simple retrofitting of functions also provide the required scope for action.


1.2 Automation suppliers must rethink

The increasing demands call for automation systems that are capable of meeting the chan-ged requirements. This is where many traditio-nal solutions reach their limits. The customer of the future will need flexible, open, easy-to-use automation solutions and will no longer accept backward, rigid technology. He also no longer wants to be dependent, for exam-ple, on vendor lock-ins from large suppliers, as is the case in fieldbus technology or in the software area. Lock-in effects drive costs and curb innovation.

Universal standards required

Standards ensure the broadest possible scope for action and security on the customer side. As a result, major initiatives are increasingly being formed on the automation market, such

as the Field Level Communications Initiative for OPC UA at the OPC Foundation, which defines and realizes generally applicable stan-dards. One of the aims here is to enable real-time communication between different control

providers in order to simplify the integration of machines into lines. Another goal is to ex-tend the real-time communication to the field area in order to replace proprietary fieldbuses.

Demand for openness and flexibility through open source and ecosystems

Open source is also of central importance when it comes to openness, which is why open source systems are increasingly finding their way into automation. This mainly applies to Linux as the basis for a high-performance, open control platform. Open source system allow the use of free software for individual control tasks or applications.

And automation providers must open up, too. In order to be able to offer the customer the best possible solution, forward-looking manu-facturers of automation solutions cooperate with IT companies or other market partici-pants and create ecosystems.


New providers and startups position themselves on the market

As the need for automation continues to grow, startups and new software vendors are ent-ering the market with creative and innovative ideas. However, there are often pitfalls when trying to establish these concepts in the au-tomation industry and to “get on the shop floor.” Often, real-time requirements, techno-logy regulations on the part of factory or plant operators, safety guidelines and industrial ap-plication requirements in general are not met. The long-established automation providers have the necessary skills and experience, but they must leave well-trodden paths and im-plement new business models and services in order to stand out from their competitors and meet future requirements.

1.3 Trend towards decentralization, intelligent technology and services

In Industry 4.0, it is essential to further deve-lop and digitally network production technolo-gy in order to make processes even more cost-effective, precise and future-proof. A trend towards decentralization can be observed here. The creation of intelligent subsystems and modularization is meant to enable high flexibility, for example through the reconfigu-rability and expandability of modular systems.

At the same time, innovative manufacturing concepts such as additive manufacturing are setting new efficiency standards. New manu-facturing processes such as 3D printing en-able an innovative approach to traditional tasks and will set the agenda in the future.

Technology oriented towards advanced IT concepts

The progress of IT is also increasingly finding its way into the industry and is relying, among other things, on computing power per square meter of processor, ARM processors/proces-sors from the smartphone world for embed-ded units, the network bandwidths and the


use of cloud and security concepts. In auto-mation technology, services such as flexible licensing, device and fleet management and remote connectivity are increasingly being applied.

Ideally, the software in automation technology should be distributed flexibly between device, edge device and cloud. This requires an API platform that is compatible and updatable on all levels. Today, data forms the decisive basis for optimized production and new business models. This requires flexible interfaces and software solutions from acquisition to pro-cessing.

Trend towards production networks: SuperNow – supported by Bosch

The fact that the classic industry boundaries are increasingly being broken down is also demonstrated by the fact that the first start-

ups are setting up production networks with-out being machine builders themselves. This is also the case for the startup Super-Now, which is funded by the Bosch Startup Harbour program. The “one-click manufactur-ing platform” streams online design files to local automated manufacturing robots.

Through SuperNow’s platform, interior design-ers and architects can have their products manufactured locally, consumers can order the designers’ products, and manufacturers can produce any design hosted on the plat-form – all with just a single click.

The smartphone world as a role model

Users are also increasingly thinking digital-ly. Habits established through apps from the smartphone world are transferred to automation needs. Customers want to try out new functions easily and quickly in small-scale

projects. What every mobile phone user can do in seconds, however, often means weeks of work for machine builders. While the latest functions can be added to smartphones sim-ply by using an app, this usually requires a great deal of effort in the case of production machinery. Machine building today therefore also means software development. However, software developers are in high demand and hard to find. The industry requires automation solutions that can meet this demand quickly and easily.


With ctrlX AUTOMATION, Bosch Rexroth is bringing the smartphone world into the fac- tories. The system – comprising hardware and software solutions – has a Linux real-time operating system, completely open standards, app technology for programming, web-based engineering and comprehensive IoT connecti-vity.

The benefits: ease of use, flexibility, maximum openness and free choice of programming lan-guage. This removes the limitations of previous solutions, and customers no longer need to search for technical experts, which has often proved difficult in the past.

App technology offers completely new free-doms

The high-performance and communication- capable industrial control platform ctrlX CORE is the heart of ctrlX AUTOMATION.

With its open and flexible architecture, the technology removes the boundaries betweendifferent platforms. “One control for everyt-hing” also means higher productivity.

The modular ctrlX WORKS software kit of components is based on the latest app tech-nology and opens up new freedoms when pro-ducing, providing and using functions. These apps can be created in a variety of programm-ing languages. Classic programming is still possible, but no longer necessary.

The automation platform from Bosch Rexroth also enables new business models – this is where the future of manufacturing lies. This also includes models established in the IT world like “as a service” or “pay per part”.

The following example demonstrates how such a billing model works:

ctrlX CORE mit Linux Ubuntu Core


“Pay-per-part” at TRUMPF

TRUMPF, market and technology leader in ma-chine tools and lasers for industrial manufac-turing, and Bosch Rexroth have been engaging in a development partnership for many years. Together, they developed, among other things, a new type of kinematics for a modularly ex-tendible machine tool that offers users maxi-mum flexibility and completely new possibili-ties in engineering.

The goal of TRUMPF’s range of solutions is networked production and process optimi-zation in the smart factory. To this end, the company also relies on business models that are new to the industry, for example by deve-loping the “TRUMPF pay-per-part” model.

The “pay-per-part model” is developed by the TRUMPF Group in cooperation with the Munich Re Group. It offers companies in the

sheet metal processing industry completely new, disruptive business and production op-portunities. The aim is to provide customers with production capacity without major up-front investment as an alternative to traditio-nal machine purchases. They can use fully au-tomatic laser machines from TRUMPF without having to buy or lease them, thereby gaining

access to the latest automated laser cutting technologies. This way, customers can make their production significantly more flexibleand react more dynamically to changes in the market environment. The aim is not only to support existing customers in their growth, but also to acquire new customers.


How exactly can all parties involved – from machine builders to operators – take advan-tage of the potential of increasing digitaliza-tion and automation in a way that adds value?

2.1 The key lies in modern automation solutions

Classical automation solutions can no longer meet the growing industry requirements in the long term. Advanced automation systems follow a platform approach and offer an open and modular service-oriented architecture as well as the broadest possible connectivity of technologies in all directions. This is the basis for developing and implementing new soluti-ons and business models, also in co-creation. Ideally, an ecosystem is created around the automation platform.

The use of modern development tools, diverse programming languages and software architecture concepts such as container technology gives users the necessary freedom of action and flexibility. Version management of engi-neering projects should be possible with ad-vanced software such as Git and GitHub. A modern user and access management as well as the connection to an IT user administration such as ActiveDirectory or LDAP are necessary to facilitate the user’s work

The automation platform should also offer ad-ditional services that enable a better life cycle – e.g. functional updates or ensuring security patches. It should also comply with innovative IT security concepts, such as certificate-based access, firewalls and VPN access.

The development of an attractive community around the automation platform enables the exchange with other users and creates a sup-port network.

2. Developing new value creation potentials and business models


2.2 Advantages of a platform approach or ecosystem

Today, innovation no longer takes place only within the company, but also in interaction with partners. This allows all participants to contribute their strengths to create an ideal solution.

An ecosystem around an automation platform allows partners to develop and offer additio-nal functions outside of the core functionali-ty. This leads to new fields of application for the platform and offers customers a greater choice of functions or the possibility of imple-menting tailor-made solutions for their requi-rements. For partners, the integration of their applications into the ecosystem results in im-portant multiplier effects.

The platform approach allows for new vertical solutions, as domains can be better combined.

The basis for the mix includes API standards such as the ctrlX Data Layer as part of ctrlX WORKS. The practical ctrlX AUTOMATION software and engineering toolbox ctrlX WORKS is synonymous with straightforward app-based engineering and significantly reduces outlay and costs. It opens up completely new free-doms when it comes to creating, providing and using functions.

With the ctrlX Data Layer, Bosch Rexroth con-nects the previously separate worlds of auto-mation and IT. As a central architectural ele-ment, it allows all apps to communicate with each other and provides constant access to all data in real time and non-real time. The ctrlX Data Layer is also the key to future machine learning solutions. Users can create functions as apps in any programming language, even graphical ones, and combine them freely.


2.3 Taking an example: use cases for new business models

Bosch Rexroth has created a lively ecosys-tem around ctrlX AUTOMATION, demonstra-ting what a new business model can look like. ctrlX World is an important part of this eco-system and reflects the maximum openness of the automation solution. In the ctrlX World, users can use apps from Bosch Rexroth,

applications from third parties or apps they have produced themselves. These apps can be downloaded from the ctrlX App Store and assigned to the ctrlX CORE control platform via a licensing system. The ctrlX App Store complements the digital offerings around the automation platform, such as the ctrlX Configurator, the online documentation and the ctrlX AUTOMATION community. It func-tions as a virtual marketplace for customers and partners of Bosch Rexroth.

Via the ctrlX World, Bosch Rexroth is gaining more and more experienced software partners for implementing further apps and functions for ctrlX AUTOMATION. With the help of the Software Development Kit (SDK), both third-party providers and Bosch Rexroth customers can develop apps and deploy them available in the ctrlX App Store. Existing code can easily be integrated as an app – both for real-time and non-real-time

applications. Numerous programming langua-ges such as C++, Python, Java etc. are sup-ported. Via the ctrlX Data Layer, the apps can receive automation data and share information with other apps.

This makes the developer’s life much easier and allows for the quick and easy implemen-tation of individual solutions and the develop-ment of new business potentials.

Bosch Rexroth is also working intensively on further partnerships in the hardware sector and is opening up its platform for the co-crea-tion of new solutions. The partner world for ctrlX AUTOMATION is growing rapidly.

Third-party providers offer HMI applications and more via Bosch Rexroth’s established automation platform.


HMI applications for automation applications

In the area of HMI applications, for example, there are various partners in ctrlX World who exemplify the potential of such an ecosystem: MGA Ingenieurdienstleistungen GmbH, Mira-soft GmbH & Co. KG and Smart HMI GmbH. The area of HMI (Human Machine Interface) is essential for bringing people and machines closer together in modern industrial automa-tion.

MGA Ingenieurdienstleistungen GmbH develo-ped a voice input app for ctrlX AUTOMATION in order to make life easier for machine ope-rators when working. Users can move freely around the machine and concentrate on their work piece rather than the operator panel. The system is coupled to a response system, so the operator receives an answer from the machine too. For more than 20 years, MGA has specialized in process automation and control technology. With the voice input app for ctrlX AUTOMATION, it has created an inno-vation within the market.

Mirasoft GmbH & Co. KG also focuses on ma-king life easier for automation technicians and speeding up their work. With the compa-ny’s AnyViz Cloud concept, cloud HMIs can be

created with just a few clicks. Via the AnyViz Cloud, those responsible can keep track of all their industrial systems. They can generate visualizations, graphical analyses and reports quickly and intuitively. ctrlX AUTOMATION customers who use the Mirasoft apps benefit from the convenient visualization and analysis of production processes for greater transpa-rency and efficiency.

AnyViz also enables new usage models. With the intuitive “subscriptions” business model, products can be used without prior invest-ment. Customers can scale, expand or cancel products at any time. Without investment costs, the investment risk also disappears, which allows new products and concepts to be tested without risk. Transparent pricing


enables financial planning security. With AnyViz, all “pay-per-use” customers gain access to all functions. It is evaluated how many data points or sensors, operating data or actuators are currently used.

By working with Bosch Rexroth, Mirasoft brings its network to other industries, such as energy, water and wastewater, buildings or

shipping, while the ctrlX World ecosystem is a multiplier for AnyViz.

Smart HMI GmbH, another Bosch Rexroth partner, offers the possibility of creating web HMIs for ctrlX AUTOMATION without any pro-gramming knowledge in ctrlX World. The WY-SIWYG HMI editor, numerous ready-made web widgets and sophisticated styling and layout functions make the system easy to use. If ne-cessary, the web visualization, which is based on standard technologies, can be expanded flexibly. It runs as an app on the ctrlX CORE control platform but can also be combined with other ctrlX AUTOMATION components.

Smart HMI provides an essential module for the ctrlX AUTOMATION range: the web-based visualization system WebIQ. Similar to ctrlX AUTOMATION, WebIQ is completely scalable and is suitable for smaller simple visualiza-tions as well as for complex and sophistica-

ted web HMIs, for example for production lines, process monitoring and control in fac-tory automation, mobile machines and vehic-les as well as robotics and logistics. Through this cooperation, Smart HMI is able to offer its customers a complete, scalable and highly professional automation solution including coordinated hardware and software compo-nents.

In other areas, too, partners use ctrlX AUTOMATION to establish new business models and enable users to exploit value- added potential throughout the entire life- cycle. Another example is:

Smart gearboxes and digital services from WITTENSTEIN

WITTENSTEIN SE is the first component manufacturer to offer smart gearboxes as standard – gearboxes with cynapse.


They have an integrated sensor module that enables Industry 4.0 connectivity. Since the gearboxes with cynapse do not differ from previous series in terms of design, size or con-tour, existing drive solutions do not have to be modified. The only difference is the sensor module that is integrated into the smart gear-box.

This solution can also be combined with Smart Services from WITTENSTEIN. Among other things, these software applications en-able the combined analysis of machine and sensor data, which detects possible failures much earlier than is the case with conventio-nal condition monitoring solutions.

WITTENSTEIN is part of the ctrlX World. Users can benefit from the advantages of the smart gearbox cynapse via the ecosystem of the open ctrlX AUTOMATION platform. This means users can easily integrate Smart Services from WITTENSTEIN into their system solution as apps for the ctrlX CORE control platform. This enables the quick and easy im-plementation of condition monitoring, process monitoring and anomaly detection.

3. Looking ahead

New automation systems based on open technologies make automation projects more flexible, intelligent and efficient. Once they are established in the companies, questions arise about the ideal management and maintenance and how they can be automated. And what role will AI or machine learning play in the future?

3.1 The field service of the future

Field service management enables the optimi-zed deployment planning of a company’s mo-bile resources for the processing of service or maintenance orders. Resources include remote monitoring of field service tasks, preventive maintenance and inspections by field service staff at the customer site, fault detection and correction as well as planning, control and optimization of the resources deployed.


Companies usually use field service manage-ment software to organize the respective task areas easily and quickly. The software used plays a central role in field service and ena-bles digitalized processes that point the way to effectiveness and, above all, cost savings. In the field service of the future, customer-oriented digital services form the basis for sustainable business models. Important com-ponents of the field service of the future are:

Remote accessRemote access is becoming increasingly im-portant in this context. Remote access by field service staff is used to access machines and systems remotely before they fail. A unit with remote access independently reports when it needs to be overhauled or replaced, thus preventing downtime. This allows the custo-mer to carry out an update or upgrade in good time, to arrange for maintenance/repair by technicians on site or to organize replacement of the device. Bidirectional data exchange sim-plifies auditing practices and reduces downt-ime and outage costs. Bosch Rexroth’s field service provides online help in the form of tutorials.

RetrofittingUpgrading older machines to increase their performance extends the service life of equip-ment. The so-called retrofitting of machines is usually more cost-effective than purchasing

new machines. Retrofits can be installed as software updates and can be carried out re-gularly at shorter intervals due to the simple handling.

ctrlX Digital Service Assistant The ctrlX Digital Service Assistant (DSA), the service app from Bosch Rexroth, offers end users quick help if servicing is required. It wirelessly accesses the fault memory of all machines equipped with Rexroth control sys-tems and clearly identifies components. This speeds up the ordering of spare parts or re-pairs. OEMs can fully integrate the app into their service concepts as a modular compo-nent.

In reality, maintenance workers usually ser-vice machines that were made by various manufacturers during different production years. Each machine has its own operating interface and diagnostic menus.


Bosch Rexroth makes it easier to maintain such heterogeneous machinery thanks to the ctrlX Digital Service Assistant. With this app for mobile devices, maintenance workers can wirelessly read error messages and service information for all installed Rexroth control systems. If servicing is required, local Bosch Rexroth service specialists can be contacted at the touch of a finger and, if desired, all re-

levant information can be transmitted direct-ly. This means that even complex problems can be solved quickly and machine downtimes shortened.

ctrlX Device PortalIn terms of comprehensive device manage-ment, it is advantageous to hold the “virtual threads” of all machines centrally in one hand. The ctrlX Device Portal addresses this requirement and enables the management, mainte-nance and protection of units – simply, se- curely and encrypted.

The ctrlX Device Portal powered by NEXEED uses cloud technology for this purpose. By centrally managing any number of devices, the solution not only opens up opportunities for increasing efficiency, but also for new busi-ness models. From the simple deployment of new software functions to the maintenance of device settings and projects via direct remote

maintenance, the ctrlX Device Portal offers all the advantages of a digital service – from the operating system to the individual app.

IT security concepts and security updatesThe operation of plants, systems and machines in a networked environment basically requires the implementation of a holistic concept for IT security that is always state-of-the-art. With ctrlX AUTOMATION, users receive solutions for the secure operation of their automation solutions as well as regular, easy-to-perform updates.

3.2 Role of AI/machine learning in automation

Looking into the future of digitized production, we ask ourselves what role artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning will play in automa-tion, be it for predictive maintenance proces-ses or autonomous production.


Artificial intelligence needs one thing above all else: The data generated by machinery and equipment, which continues to grow. This in-formation can be brought together using arti-ficial intelligence to create added value. This is because AI is used to form correlations and enables processes to optimize themselves in a self-learning manner. On this basis, process improvements can be achieved and new data-based services can be developed.

Machine learning algorithms are playing an in-creasingly important role in this. Inspections using image processing algorithms allow for the rapid identification of defective parts. AI further speeds up the usual checks by identi-fying redundant test steps and allowing them to be omitted. Machine learning algorithms are capable of detecting deviations in the ma-nufacturing process. They can therefore trig-ger warnings or automated reactions such as ejection of materials at an early stage. The ba-

sis for this is the update capability of AI mo-dels via the public cloud or the private cloud.The area of application of AI in production is broad and diverse. AI-based predictive main-tenance systems are used for predictive main-tenance of machinery and equipment. AI is also optimizing the production approach in collaborative and context-sensitive robotics. The linking and evaluation of data across ma-chine groups, production sites and ERP levels allows cost-optimized production and leads to

increases in efficiency and earnings. AI-based quality monitoring can also achieve continu-ous improvement in product quality. Rejection rates and inspection costs can be reduced by efficient machine learning, increasing the eco-nomic benefit.

A high-performance and open control platform like ctrlX CORE is am ideal foundation for im-plementing AI. The ctrlX AUTOMATION plat-form is based on the open-source system Linux

Ubuntu Core and offers users the ability to integrate AI applications. With the ctrlX Data Layer, ctrlX AUTOMATION offers a standardized storage and access point for all controller data and units connected to the controller for I/O, drives and sensors. The data are already se-mantically pre-sorted and thus simplify the application of machine learning algorithms.

The open automation system supports the uni-versal programming language Python, one of the most frequently used programming langua-ges, which can be used in many ways. Due to its clear structure and low error rate, it is particularly popular with developers and

engineers. Python is freely available for all common operating systems and is often used for applications that work with big data. This makes the programming language predesti-ned for machine learning libraries and machine learning applications.

ctrlX AUTOMATION is designed to run machine learning models. The automation platform pro-vides the required data in a simple way.

With ctrlX AUTOMATION, industrial companies can solve the automation challenges of today and tomorrow, implement new business mo-dels and create more value.


Would you like to takeadvantage of the benefitsof ctrlX AUTOMATION?We would be happy to provide individual advice. Contact us on:[email protected]

AUTORHans Michael KrauseProduct Manager ctrlX WorldBosch Rexroth

value creation and new business models in automation

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