What role does AI play in your sensor and automation solutions?

Artificial intelligence is one of the key technologies of our time and will also fundamentally change industrial automation in the future. For Turck, AI is not just a tool for increasing efficiency, but a real game changer that opens up completely new possibilities in almost all areas - from product development and system integration to process optimization. AI not only plays an important role in our products and solutions, but is also changing the underlying business processes and the world of work as a whole.

Despite everything, AI is not a panacea. In many automation applications, it is more economical and faster to process data directly in the field. We use AI where it creates real added value. Our philosophy has always been: smart data instead of big data. Instead of sending all data to the cloud, we rely on intelligent pre-processing at field level - for example with our 'TBEN-PLC' or logic-capable I/O modules such as 'ARGEE'. We use AI specifically where the complexity of data processing would overwhelm rule-based control systems, for example in image processing or when analyzing large volumes of data in the cloud.

How does AI support condition monitoring and predictive maintenance?

AI can help to identify patterns in sensor data that indicate impending failures, for example by detecting anomalies in time series or by classifying operating states. In our IIoT platform 'TAS Cloud', we offer AI-supported services for analyzing such data. At the same time, we rely on sensors that already detect and evaluate conditions locally, i.e. without AI. Our vibration sensors are a good example: they analyze data directly on site and report anomalies without the data first having to be transferred to a central control system or cloud. This saves time and costs and increases robustness. AI comes into play when the data situation becomes complex, for example when classifying fault patterns or predicting maintenance intervals. This results in a hybrid approach of rule-based intelligence and data-driven AI.

Are there any practical examples?

A current highlight is our new AI camera 'TIV' (Turck Intelligent Vision), which we are presenting at the SPS in Nuremberg. The camera is a powerful, AI-based all-in-one vision solution for demanding industrial applications. Its self-learning functions - including differential testing, classification, object recognition and barcode reading - do not require a separate processing unit. This allows the camera to be commissioned quickly and easily directly on site, and complex visual inspection tasks can be solved without having to transfer large amounts of data to the cloud.

With protection class IP67, the camera is also ideally suited for use in harsh industrial conditions. The 'AI Cam' stands for robust, intelligent and scalable image processing directly at the edge - and is therefore a central component of our 'Industrial AI' strategy.

Another example is our condition monitoring sensors, which evaluate data locally and react on the basis of threshold values or logical links - completely without AI, but highly efficiently. This rule-based intelligence is often cheaper and faster than AI and is completely sufficient for many applications. The combination of decentralized intelligence and AI-supported analysis shows how we at Turck design the use of AI in a pragmatic and application-oriented way.

How can AI be integrated into IO-Link environments?

IO-Link is an outstanding technology and the ideal basis for smart sensor technology and structured data communication. In combination with edge computing, AI can be integrated very efficiently: The sensors provide structured data that is pre-processed on edge devices and transferred to the cloud as required. AI can then be based on aggregated data, for example for pattern recognition or to optimize maintenance strategies. It is important to note that the AI does not necessarily have to be located in the sensor itself, but can be connected via the IO-Link infrastructure and used intelligently. This creates a flexible system that uses AI where it is really needed.

Which data sources are relevant?

Relevant data sources are all sensors that record physical variables - temperature, vibration, pressure, current, image data and much more. The decisive factor is not just the quantity, but also the quality and contextual information. That is why we rely on sensor technology that not only measures, but also interprets - and on systems that process data where it is generated. In this way, we avoid unnecessary data overload and create the basis for targeted AI applications.

What are the benefits of 'Edge AI'?

Edge AI has several advantages: it reduces data volume, saves bandwidth and enables fast reactions. Instead of sending all data to the cloud, we analyze it directly on site, for example with our TIV camera or edge controllers. This is particularly important for time-critical applications where every millisecond counts. Edge AI also increases data security, as sensitive information does not have to be transmitted via external networks. Edge AI also contributes to sustainability: Less data traffic means less energy consumption.

How do you ensure the security of the data?

Data security is a central element of every solution for Turck - especially in the context of 'Industrial AI'. Our cloud solutions meet the highest security standards. We rely on encrypted communication, role-based access controls and local data processing wherever possible. We also pay attention to the traceability and integrity of the data: Every data point must be able to be assigned to its origin and context. This is particularly important for AI applications, as they must be based on reliable and traceable data. We offer our customers full transparency of data flows and the option of implementing their own security policies - both in the cloud and at the edge. At Turck, security is not an add-on, but an integral part of every solution.

An important milestone in this context is our certification in accordance with IEC 62443-4-1 ("Security for industrial automation and control systems"), an internationally recognized standard for secure development processes in industrial automation. This certification confirms that our products are developed according to a structured and verifiable security process - from risk analysis and architecture through to testing and maintenance. This certification is also of great importance with regard to the EU's upcoming Cyber Resilience Act. With the IEC 62443-4-1 certification, we are ideally prepared to continue offering our customers secure and compliant solutions in the future - not only in terms of technology, but also from a regulatory perspective.

How do you help customers with integration?

We support our customers from the initial idea through to commissioning. Our solutions have a modular structure - from sensors and edge devices to the cloud. With tools such as ARGEE, we enable simple logic programming directly in the field without the need for programming knowledge. Our TBEN-PLC with Codesys offers full control functionality in a compact design. In the future, the control software will also offer AI-supported engineering assistance, for example through chatbots or automated code suggestions that take over monotonous tasks and improve the quality of the code. This means that our customers benefit from AI integration not only technically, but also methodically.

Which sectors benefit in particular?

Industries with a high degree of automation and complex processes - such as the automotive industry, logistics, mechanical engineering, food production and the process industry - benefit in particular. Here, AI can help to ensure quality, avoid downtime, optimize processes and increase production output. However, smaller and medium-sized companies can also benefit from our scalable solutions - for example through simple entry-level solutions for condition monitoring or modular cloud offerings. We want to offer our customers solutions that are not only technologically leading, but also economically viable and easy to integrate.

Where is Turck heading with Industrial AI?

We continue to develop AI where it brings real benefits - for example in image processing, in the cloud or in intelligent data analysis. AI will not only improve individual applications, but also revolutionize the entire end-to-end process from OT to IT - with implications for development, production, maintenance and business models. For us, the future lies in the combination of intelligent sensor technology, edge computing and the targeted use of AI. That is why we rely on robust, comprehensible and scalable AI solutions - always with the aim of offering our customers real added value.