Rockwell Automation and Microsoft collaborate to accelerate industrial automation design and shorten time to market using generative AI.

Rockwell Automation announced today that it is strengthening its existing partnership with Microsoft to accelerate industrial automation design and development through generative AI.

This partnership will add Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI services to Rockwell Automation’s FactoryTalk Design Studio, delivering industry-first capabilities to accelerate time to market for customers building industrial automation systems.

The two companies shared the importance of leveraging generative AI technologies to enhance automation capabilities across a range of roles, from decision makers to control engineers and operators.

By adding Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI services to Rockwell Automation’s FactoryTalk Design Studio, engineers can use natural language prompts to generate code, automate routine manufacturing processes, and improve design efficiency.

This allows experienced engineers to accelerate development and effectively guide new workers through the learning process. Additionally, it can effectively support training for developers by finding helpful parts in the vast amount of information.

The two companies expect that this integrated technology expansion will enable them to solve various tasks such as training, quality control and improvement, and failure mode analysis to enable field workers to execute manufacturing processes through chatbots and chats with skilled workers based on Azure Open AI services.

“With the explosive growth and excitement in the AI market, more and more enterprises are looking to partner with Microsoft as a trusted cloud and AI provider,” said Judson Althoff, corporate vice president at Microsoft. “We are excited to expand our existing relationship with Rockwell Automation, combining Rockwell Automation’s industrial automation expertise with Microsoft’s generative AI technologies to help industrial professionals accelerate the development of complex control systems, optimize operational efficiencies, and drive greater innovation across their industrial organizations.”

“Rockwell Automation has been partnering with Microsoft for more than a decade and is committed to delivering best-in-class solutions for industrial automation to achieve our shared goals of empowering customers and advancing industries through innovation,” said Blake Moret, Rockwell Automation chairman and CEO. “We will not only meet market needs, but also proactively support and shape the future of industrial automation technology together.”

Meanwhile, Rockwell Automation and Microsoft are continuously exploring ways to innovate the industrial metaverse. They are working together to design and develop more efficient and sustainable products by leveraging the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud data sets, simulation, and AI technologies. The results of the collaboration between the two companies will be revealed at Rockwell Automation's '2023 Automation Fair' to be held in Boston, USA from November 6 to 9.