Rockwell Automation Fair in Anaheim showcased innovations in industrial operations, blending bold concepts with practical, deployable solutions. Mark Venables explains how automation and AI are reshaping the industry, placing human potential at the core of this transformation.
Innovation, connection, and practicality were the main themes as Rockwell Automation Fair took over Anaheim this week. The company showcased technologies that promise to revolutionise industrial operations through bold concepts and real, actionable solutions. Rockwell’s Chief Technology Officer, Cyril Perducat, shared insights into how the company is tackling the evolving landscape of automation and AI. His perspective emphasises a human-centric approach, a philosophy that drives Rockwell’s efforts to elevate industrial performance without overwhelming the workforce.
“We are at an inflexion point where different technologies converge to create a reimagined form of industrial operations,” Perducat begins. “These innovations, including AI, edge computing, and robotics, are not just fancy ideas for the future. They are scalable, ready for deployment, and designed to solve today’s challenges.” His view reflects the transformation of automation from merely streamlining processes to reshaping how people work, ensuring technology enhances rather than replaces human capabilities.
Putting people at the centre of technology
One of the main challenges facing industrial technology is ensuring that workers can engage with it effectively without feeling overwhelmed. Rockwell’s philosophy is to make advanced tools approachable, integrating them seamlessly into existing workflows. “Our focus is to leverage technology to help individuals excel in their roles,” Perducat explains. “The aim is to ensure people are comfortable using advanced technologies, enhancing the work experience without making it overly complex. We want technology to enhance human capability, not replace it, creating better outcomes for individuals and organisations.”
A key part of this strategy is human-centred design. Rockwell’s approach means creating intuitive, efficient technologies that fit into the workflow rather than disrupt it. “Technology should enhance their work experience, allowing people to focus on what they do best, while repetitive or dangerous tasks are automated,” he notes. This design philosophy aims to boost productivity and ensure that the human element remains central, making industrial jobs safer and more fulfilling.
Data, AI, and the evolution to autonomy
Data is a critical resource in today’s industrial operations, but its value only emerges when turned into actionable insights. “The decision about what data should be processed at the edge and what should be in the cloud depends on the customer’s application, context, and maturity,” Perducat says. “We aim to offer optionality. Whether processing is needed at the edge, in the cloud, or both, we provide the flexibility without constraining customers to a specific approach.”
AI significantly transforms automation into autonomy, much like the shift from manually driven cars to autonomous vehicles. “AI should be used where it adds value, enabling autonomy while allowing operators to stay in control,” Perducat highlights. It helps people focus on high-value tasks while machines handle repetitive ones. This approach helps create safer workplaces, improve productivity, and align the human workforce with technology to maximise potential.”
The vision for future industrial operations involves creating self-organising, flexible production systems that adapt to real-time variability. Perducat was clear that this is not just about implementing cutting-edge technologies for its own sake. “We are combining automation, analytics, AI, and robotics to create an adaptive, efficient production environment,” he adds. “It is about making technology that works, intuitive and simple, like a smartphone. This simplicity, however, is backed by complex technology, ensuring that production systems can adapt dynamically, optimising towards business goals set by customers.”
Integrating operational technology and enterprise architecture
Another critical area is integrating operational technology (OT) with enterprise IT architecture. “OT should be a subset of an enterprise’s overall architecture, integrating seamlessly,” he asserts. “The modern approach to automation draws on IT principles that are increasingly relevant in the automation landscape. Building trust in technology is key; people should not feel technology threatens their jobs. Instead, the design should be human-centric, focusing on enhancing the workflow and allowing people to use technology effectively without drastically changing their existing skill sets.”
This holistic approach is particularly evident in Rockwell’s use of edge computing. Edge technology is essential in balancing what is processed locally versus what is handled in the cloud. It helps ensure that critical decisions are made close to where they are needed, optimising latency and performance. Logix, Rockwell’s control platform, is adaptable to various needs, whether virtualised, on an industrial PC or integrated with edge solutions, ensuring it can meet the specific demands of each application.
From automation to industrial autonomy
Rockwell’s commitment to innovation is leading the industry from traditional automation towards a future of true industrial autonomy. “We see a future where people and machines work in synergy,” Perducat continues. “This next level of revolution is about humans and technology working together, not in competition. The shift to industrial autonomy is not only about operational efficiency but also about enhancing safety, sustainability, and the quality of work environments.”
AI, robotics, and data analytics play crucial roles in this evolution. Advanced robotics, for instance, take over dull, dirty, or dangerous tasks, allowing human workers to engage in more creative, strategic roles. “One practical application is in material movement inside factories and warehouses using autonomous mobile robots (AMRs),” Perducat notes. “These robots can take over repetitive tasks like moving materials, often leading to strain injuries for human workers. By doing so, they create safer workplaces and allow people to focus on activities that require creativity and problem-solving skills.”
Simplifying the future with software-defined automation
Software-defined automation (SDA) represents a significant shift towards decoupling automation logic from physical hardware, making it more adaptable and scalable. “Instead of starting automation with hardware constraints, SDA begins with software, allowing for greater flexibility,” Perducat explains. “This approach not only simplifies the development process but also allows automation to be scaled up or down to meet specific needs.”
SDA’s flexibility makes it particularly suitable for diverse industries, from pharmaceuticals to green hydrogen production. “We can deploy automation solutions across varied environments, whether in data centres, factories, or even grocery stores, using the same foundational technologies but adapting them to specific industry requirements,” he adds. “This adaptability makes SDA a powerful tool for industries seeking to maintain agility in an increasingly competitive landscape.”
The deployment of SDA and other advanced technologies at Rockwell is informed by lessons from IT, particularly around efficiency and scalability. “Instead of relying on outdated methods like manual hardware upgrades, we use tools like FactoryTalk Design Studio and Red Hat’s Ansible for version management and deployment, making the process more efficient and automated. This modern approach reduces complexity, ensuring that industrial operations can be managed effectively at scale.”
Building a connected future
Perducat summarised Rockwell’s overarching vision as the future of industrial operations is about converging advanced computing, AI, and integrated robotics, all reaching maturity simultaneously. “This convergence creates an opportunity to elevate human work, enabling people and machines to work together to achieve greater industrial performance,” he concludes. “Our commitment is to create an environment where technology helps people maximise their potential, leading to improved productivity, safety, and sustainability across industries.”
The path forward for Rockwell Automation is clear: focus on human-centric innovation, ensure technology is effective and approachable, and continue pushing the boundaries of what industrial autonomy can achieve. By keeping people at the heart of this transformation, Rockwell aims to enhance operations and enrich the industrial workforce, ultimately creating smarter, safer, and more efficient industries for the future.
