Rockwell Automation and Microsoft have announced an extended partnership to leverage generative artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities in order to boost productivity and accelerate time-to-market for industrial automation systems. This collaboration aims to address the skilled labor shortage in the industry and enhance automation across various roles, including decision-makers, control engineers, and operators.
By incorporating Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI Service into Rockwell’s FactoryTalk Design Studio, engineers will be able to generate code using natural language prompts, automating routine tasks and improving design efficiency. This integration will also support the development of newcomers in the field by providing mentorship from seasoned engineers. Additionally, the technology will assist in finding relevant information to further educate developers.
Rockwell and Microsoft envision extending this integrated technology to solve other challenges such as Quality Management and Improvement, Failure Mode Analysis, and training frontline workers through chat-based collaboration with experienced human workers and Azure OpenAI Service-based chatbots.
Judson Althoff, executive vice president and chief commercial officer at Microsoft, expressed his excitement about the partnership, stating that it will help industrial professionals expedite the creation of complex control systems, optimize operational efficiency, and drive innovation across industrial organizations.
Furthermore, Rockwell and Microsoft are exploring ways to advance innovation in the industrial metaverse by utilizing their respective Internet of Things (IoT) capabilities, cloud datasets, simulations, and AI to design and build products more effectively, efficiently, and sustainably.
The collaboration between Rockwell and Microsoft will be exhibited during Rockwell’s 2023 Automation Fair held in November in Boston, Massachusetts.
By coming together to leverage AI technology, Rockwell Automation and Microsoft are poised to revolutionize the industrial automation sector, empowering workers, streamlining processes, and driving increased productivity and innovation. This partnership marks a significant step forward in addressing the challenges posed by the current labor shortage and accelerating the development of advanced control systems.
