Schneider Electric joins UniversalAutomation.org to create a new era of plug-and-play automation

We have joined UniversalAutomation.org (UAO), an independent non-profit association that manages the reference implementation of a shared source runtime. For the first time, IT and OT software vendors, industrial end users, OEMs and academics share a common automation software layer in their automation technology, regardless of brand.

UniversalAutomation.org is encouraging the development of an ecosystem of portable and interoperable “plug-and-produce” software that can run on almost any hardware. By decoupling software and hardware, a reference runtime implementation of the IEC 61499standard and merge the worlds of information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT), the organization aims to create an entirely new category of industrial automation and unleash the full potential of Industry 4.0.

“UniversalAutomation.org marks the beginning of a new era for industrial automation,” said Dr. Barbara Frei, Executive Vice President Industrial Automation at Schneider Electric. “The current architectures have done a great job in getting the industry to where we are today. To achieve the next generation of sustainability, innovation and agility, we must embrace portable and interoperable software. We need to rethink our current systems and processes and collaborate on a new scale. The members of UniversalAutomation.org have agreed to this.”

Organizations involved with UniversalAutomation.org include: Aalto University, Advantech, Asus, Belden, Cargill, eaw Relaistechnik GmbH, ESA, ETP, Flexbridge, Georgia-Pacific, GR3N, Hirschmann, HTW Berlin, Intel, Jetter, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Kongsberg Maritime, Lawrence Technological University, Lumberg Automation, Phoenix Contact, ProSoft, R. Stahl, Shell, VP Process, Wilo, Wood and Yokogawa. Others are expected to join soon, with the organization actively recruiting new members.