Complementary robotics, control, and software capabilities partnership.

Collaboration to accelerate advanced industrial automation across high-growth manufacturing sectors. 

A strategic collaboration agreement has been signed by Comau and Omron Robotics (Omron) aimed at accelerating the adoption and deployment of advanced industrial automation solutions for manufacturers worldwide. The collaboration will focus on high-growth sectors including electronics, semiconductors, medical manufacturing and light industrial intralogistics – markets that continue to see strong demand for flexible, easily deployable automation.

The partnership responds to rising customer needs for scalable and adaptable automation solutions that integrate seamlessly into both existing production lines and next-generation manufacturing environments. By leveraging the complementary portfolios, technological capabilities, and business models of both companies, the agreement enables a broader and more accessible offering for global customers.

Looking ahead, both companies view this partnership as a platform for future joint initiatives. Together, the companies aim to unlock new levels of operational efficiency, flexibility, and performance for their customers by integrating robotics hardware, advanced control technologies, and software-driven automation tailored to diverse manufacturing environments around the world.

“This initiative is fully aligned with our strategy to expand Comau’s solution portfolio through high-impact partnerships,” said Pietro Gorlier, CEO of Comau. “Omron is an ideal partner, sharing our vision of open innovation and customer-centric value creation. By combining Comau’s robotics expertise with Omron’s complementary technologies and software capabilities, we enable the delivery of solutions that are easier to deploy, highly adaptable, and future-ready. This collaboration also strengthens Comau’s presence in high-growth sectors and new geographies, helping customers effectively manage increasing industrial complexity through reliable, safe, and scalable automation.”

“Through this collaboration, we are bringing together two complementary portfolios with a shared focus on customer success,” said Olivier Welker, CEO of Omron Robotics. “By aligning our expertise in robotics, applications, advanced control, and intelligent automation technologies, we can help manufacturers respond faster to changing market demands. Together, this new collaboration will allow us to deliver more flexible, connected, and sustainable production systems that support long-term growth for our customers.”

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@OmronEurope @OmronComponents @AdeptTechnology #Comau #Robotics #PAuto

Collaboration for development of innovative embedded vision solutions.

Companies aim to create production-ready solutions tailored to demanding applications in various industries with a primary focus on the DACH region* and the broader European market.

A new strategic collaboration with VIA optronics AG (OTC: VIAOY), a leading supplier of interactive display solutions, has been announced by Solectrix.

The companies intend to use their combined expertise and capabilities to design, develop, and produce advanced camera and display technologies as well as embedded vision systems. Within the cooperation, VIA optronics will handle the development of camera and interactive display technologies while Solectrix will work in the field of the development of related electronic control units, as well as embedded systems and software. This combination of expertise enables both companies to develop scalable, robust solutions for a range of applications, including industrial automation, security, monitoring, and other high-performance markets. Both companies contribute to the cooperation with unique technologies and patents to address the market demands.

Stefan Schütz (left in picture), Managing Director of Solectrix, remarked, “We are excited to collaborate with VIA optronics to combine their cutting-edge camera and display technologies with our expertise in embedded vision and video processing units, including our SXVPU platform. This partnership allows us to create powerful and scalable solutions tailored to the specific needs of our customers across various industries. By leveraging the strengths of both companies, we aim to set new standards in innovation and reliability, particularly in the DACH region and the wider European market.”

Dr. Jasmin Wagner (right), Chief Sales and Marketing Officer of VIA optronics, commented, “We are thrilled to announce this strategic collaboration with Solectrix. We will leverage our shared knowledge and expertise to provide complete camera systems to our customers in the various markets. We are pleased to find a partner to bring our products and technologies on a next level.”

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* DACH - Germany, Austria & Switzerland 

#Solectrix @agoptronics #Automation #EmbededSystems

Energy harvesting light switch

Thanks to the success and interest that has been received from the KNX-RF energy harvesting light switch module from ZF, a collaboration is starting with light switch manufacturer Retrotouch.

Both partners are members of the KNX Association and are excited about the potential for the home automation industry, with the possibilities of this battery-free, maintenance-free and wireless switch.

The ZF KNX-RF energy harvesting switch is suitable for adding into a new bespoke system. It is also ideal for retrofitting into an already existing twisted-pair KNX system using ZF mediacouplers available from Retrotouch. Compatible with KNX-RF 2.0 Ready S-Mode it is configurable with ETS software (from version 5 onwards). The switch can be customized with programming to operate in a customer’s desired room and function for both lighting and window shutters.

Retrotouch’s lighting solutions are a stylish and affordable range which allow any homeowner to purchase and install easily. Home-automation should not be reserved for high-end custom renovations, homeowners who are looking to replace existing systems one room at a time are now able to join this industry too.

@zfswitch_sensor @MYRETROTOUCH #Energy #Pauto

Colloboration strengthens development of digital twin technology.

Digital Twin Consortium® (DTC) and OPC Foundation announced a liaison agreement to accelerate the development and adoption of digital twin-enabling technologies during this months ARC Forum 2023. The DTC and the OPC Foundation have worked closely in several open-source reference implementation projects on GitHub and have agreed to collaborate even closer.

“We are excited about working with OPC Foundation,” said Dan Isaacs, GM, and CTO of DTC. "Through our collaboration, we will influence interoperability standards and processes that will advance the use of digital twins in manufacturing across many industries.”

The DTC and OPC Foundation have agreed to the following activities:

• Collaborating on standardization requirements
• Realizing interoperability by harmonizing technology components and other elements
• Aligning work in horizontal domains for adoption in vertical domains and use cases, proof of concepts, and Value Innovation Platforms (VIP) programs, including:
> Technology, terminology, and taxonomy
> Security and trustworthiness
> Conceptual, informational, structural, and behavioral models
> Enabling technologies, such as simulation and AI
> Technology stack across the digital twin lifecycle
> Case study development


• Developing and understanding open-source reference implementations

Stefan Hoppe, President OPC Foundation, said, “The OPC Foundation maintains the global standard for secure industrial interoperability for information modeling and data exchange, which, as part of this relationship with DTC, benefits all who wish to create semantically identical digital twins. Our involvement to liaise with DTC further strengthens the user’s ability to model each data aspect quickly and precisely, creating and interacting with any digital twin. Digital twins will be fully compatible with the OPC UA framework used in the run-time components within the operational domain.”
“As one of the key contributors to Digital Twin Consortium’s open-source program, Microsoft saw the rising demand for open digital twin technology and industrial interoperability standards like OPC UA. The collaboration of OPC Foundation and DTC will continue to elevate the impact of digital twin technologies. These two organizations have already started collaborating on open-source projects and these projects will expand to include emerging technologies,” said Erich Barnstedt, Chief Architect Standards, Consortia and Industrial IoT, Azure Edge + Platform, Microsoft Corporation.

Both consortia will exchange information through regular consultations, joint contributor relations, seminars, open-source projects, and other activities.

@OPCFoundation @DigitalTwinCon @arc_advisory #PAuto 

Environmental performance, safety and productivity in mining.

Technology leaders to collaborate to investigate ways to support the transition to carbon-neutral mining operations

Global technology companies ABB and FLSmidth will collaborate to look at ways to advance environmental and productivity solutions for our mining customers under a new agreement.

“Driving collaboration within the mining industry is increasingly important and timely if the industry is to achieve its targets in line with their own expectations, those of society and as set out in agreements like the UN Paris Agreement; the faster solutions happen, the better,” said Joachim Braun, Division President, ABB Process Industries. “ABB and FLSmidth have chosen to collaborate at this key time. If we can combine state-of-the-art equipment with digital solutions, we can better help customers achieve their business goals and carbon-free operations. Greater collaboration is key as it means fewer interfaces, reduced risk and shortened project schedules.”

The companies will jointly assess solutions for mining companies that will de-risk their operations and lower operating costs while reducing emissions, energy use and waste. FLSmidth offers market-leading products, service and digital solutions for mining from the pit to the plant and provides a deep knowledge of mineral processing. ABB complements this with state-of-the-art automation, electrification, digital solutions and advanced services from the mine to the port.

“FLSmidth and ABB already have many of the building blocks for carbon-free, resource-optimised operations. By assessing how to combine and integrate these technologies and our respective expertise we will, together with our customers, accelerate transition in mining operations,” said Mikko Keto, Group CEO, FLSmidth. “Mining is essential in the energy transition. Meanwhile, the mining industry is facing unprecedented challenges due to declining ore grade and high demand as it develops new sites, while also being asked to make existing operations more sustainable. Modern technology, expert analysis and digital solutions will help lower water and energy use and reduce waste – and FLSmidth and ABB can really move the needle in this area.”

@FLSmidth @ABB_Mining @ABBgroupnews #PAuto #Mining