Benoît Thooris takes over as president
Benoît Thooris is taking over as head of UniversalAutomation.Org. The organization is also adding two new members to its Board of Directors.
read more...Industrial Controls
read more...Virtualized Control Technology in Practice
Software determines functionality in televisions, vehicles, smartphones, and increasingly in industrial automation and industrial control systems. This development has led to the emergence of virtual PLCs (vPLCs). The following article describes how such control systems are implemented in practice and which application scenarios are technically feasible.
read more...Smart chips for greater energy efficiency
In the AI lighthouse project "eki", a research team led by the University of Paderborn has been working on improving the energy efficiency of AI systems and developing methods that can reduce the energy consumption of AI by up to 90 percent. Special computer chips are used instead of GPUs and CPUs.
read more...Stephan Volgmann becomes Chief Saels Officer
On May 15, Stephan Volgmann will take over the newly created position of Chief Sales Officer within the Group Management of Phoenix Contact.
read more...Bosch invests in business areas of the future
Over the next five years, Bosch is investing around 200 million euros in its subsidiary Bosch Business Innovations. As a corporate venture builder, the unit develops new business ideas beyond the current core business and builds start-ups from the early stages onwards. The aim is to systematically bring these to market maturity.
read more...Mario Poltronieri is the new President of the German subsidiary
Mitsubishi Electric Europe, German branch, has announced a change in management: Mario Poltronieri took over as President of the German branch on April 1, 2026.
read more...Native Integration of Codesys Control SL in u-OS
With the availability of 'Codesys Control SL' as an app on 'u-OS', Weidmüller is expanding the application possibilities of the open operating system for the Industrial IoT and industrial automation.
read more...Siemens makes a strong Start to Fiscal Year 2026
Siemens raises its forecast for 2026 after a strong first quarter. Order intake and sales increased significantly, industrial earnings rose at a double-digit rate. The order backlog reached an all-time high of 120 billion euros.
read more...Changes to the Bosch Rexroth Management Board
Dr. Jochen Peter (50) joined the Executive Board of Bosch Rexroth AG in Lohr am Main on January 1, 2026 and will become Chairman of the Executive Board on March 1, 2026 after a familiarization phase. He succeeds Dr. Steffen Haack (59), who will step down as Chairman on the same date but remain a member of the divisional board.
read more...Siemens presents technologies to accelerate industrial AI
At CES, Siemens presented technologies to accelerate industrial AI: new digital twins, AI co-pilots, an Industrial AI Operating System and applications in manufacturing, energy and life sciences.
read more...Virtualization shapes factory automation
With the new version of its 'Software Defined Automation' platform, Logiccloud shows how virtualization and AI are changing industrial automation. An integrated AI assistant enables the rapid creation of complete automation apps.
read more...New high-performance CNC series
The 'FS500i-A' CNC controller from Fanuc, which was presented in the development phase as the 'FS 50i-A', offers 2.7 times higher CPU performance and, according to the manufacturer, enables faster cycle times, improved 5-axis simultaneous machining and better surface quality.
read more...New Managing Director at Bachmann electronic
Bachmann electronic has appointed Daniel Pfeifer as its new Managing Director with effect from January 1, 2026. He succeeds Bernhard Zangerl, who will be leaving the company.
read more...VDMA: Innovation location in danger
The mechanical engineering industry wants to keep production in Germany and Europe. However, better location conditions are urgently needed to prevent research, production and therefore innovation from migrating, it was stated at the association's annual press conference on December 9, 2025.
read more...Bosch Rexroth is involved in the 'Next Level Mittelstand' initiative
As a partner in the 'Next Level Mittelstand' initiative, Bosch Rexroth is committed to the digital transformation of German SMEs. The current six shareholders and 23 members of the initiative, including SMEs, start-ups, IT experts and consortia, want to jointly drive forward digitalization in SMEs and provide practical guidance for its implementation.
read more...Interview with Dr. Tobias Frank, Phoenix...
The PLC remains – but changes
Virtual controllers complement traditional PLC systems rather than replacing them. Phoenix Contact explains where virtualization makes sense and how it is reshaping automation.
read more...Automation for Chip Production
Beckhoff optimizes Semiconductor Processes with precise Control Technology
Semiconductor production is one of the most complex manufacturing processes in the industry. Beckhoff shows how precise automation, flexible control systems and open communication standards accelerate production processes and equip manufacturing for future technologies.
read more...New release and virtualization
Bosch Rexroth adds three variants to ctrlX OS
Bosch Rexroth presents new functions and variants of its Linux-based operating system 'ctrlX OS'. In addition to a virtualized version, the system offers extended diagnostic, network and security functions with the LTS release 3.6. Three versions cover different integration requirements.
read more...Control portfolio expanded
AkYtec has new controllers, process displays and cloud services for industrial and building technology applications in its portfolio. The focus is on compact devices with integrated visualization and extended communication functions.
read more...Open standards in intralogistics
Bosch Rexroth and Synaos integrate AMR from K.Hartwall
Bosch Rexroth and Synaos have integrated the autonomous mobile robot 'A-Mate Lite' from K.Hartwall into the 'Synaos Intralogistics Platform'. This is based on the open communication standard VDA 5050, which facilitates the control of mixed fleets
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