Join the team
changing the game!

For far too long proprietary automation systems have been restricting innovation. Joining UniversalAutomation.org means becoming part of a one-of-a-kind organization sharing a common technology that will unleash innovation by enabling application portability.

What is universal automation?
It is the combination of two parts:

 

  • A technology enabler based on the IEC 61499 standard which defines how to design distributed applications using “plug and produce” software components which are independent from the hardware on which they execute.

     

  • A community of automation users, technology vendors and universities organized around an independent non-profit association: UniversalAutomation.org.

     

    UniversalAutomation.org is open to new members willing to change the game of automation.
  • Why join us?
    Members of UniversalAutomation.org get access to the next generation of universal automation technology, working collaboratively within an ecosystem of innovative technology vendors and thought-leading users.
    Real time - Right time

    Plug & Produce

    Real time - Right time

    Application Portability & Interoperability

    Real time - Right time

    IT/OT Convergence

    A new automation paradigm is required!

    Traditional Automation world
    IT Applications
    Difficult
    Proprietary Control Node
    Vendor 1
    Vendor 2
    Vendor 3
    Vendor 4
    • Locked to a vendor
    • No portability & limited application interoperability
    • Difficult to interface with IT systems
    • Labor-intensive to engineer & operate
    • Prevents innovation & evolution of installed base
    Universal Automation
    IT Applications
    Easy
    Hardware independent Application
    Universal Automation Control Node

    Controller

    Vendor 1
    PLC

    Controller

    Vendor 2
    DCS

    Controller

    Vendor 3
    Instruments Actuators

    Controller

    Vendor 4
    Edge Computers
    • More cost-effective – write once, re-use regardless of vendor
    • More reliable & safer using proven-in-use, reusable software libraries
    • Software can be incrementally improved over the lifecycle
    • End-of-life proof – re-use software, even when automation hardware is obsolete
    • Embed & reuse IP to protect competitive edge or to get better ROI on increasing software investment
    They joined us
    I joined UAO because by being open, by being an international standard, by being already supported by quite a certain number of relevant companies, it paves the way for a new generation of not just automation systems, but a new way of conceiving automation systems. Because in the end it leaves behind the problem of hardware and unleashes the power of software, which has not yet happened in automation.
    Franco Cavadini
    Chief Technical Officer
    We joined UAO because we strongly believe that we have to decouple the application from the hardware. The value of our automation is not in the hardware and (yet today) we design every plant in hardware-centric way.  That is no longer possible with the regional complexities of cyber security, more maintenance, more complex software requirements. On our current path towards Industry 4.0 that hardware-centric approach no longer good. So in short, we must decouple hardware & software to make sure that we are able to survive as an industry in Europe.
    Dominic de Kerf
    Plant Systems and Controls COE
    I'm following UAO and IEC 61499 because it's an object-oriented system, and what we do in our automation system, how we do it, is object oriented. So that gives us the opportunity to focus on how to build good applications based on function blocks. You build applications, then you decide how to deploy them. And that means we can test the complete application, and it's easy to reuse. These are important things when we have many sailing ships.
    Sølve Raaen
    Principal Architect OT
    Open Automation technologies like UAO’s will allow us to deliver innovative automation systems faster and at lower cost.  That enables more efficient manufacturing and faster time to market for green solutions. We plan to starting using IEC 61499 to innovate on top of existing infrastructure and technology as our first use cases.  Longer term, more efficient integration of technology from different OEM machine and automation suppliers will have a major positive impact. To those considering joining UAO, don’t join if you like being locked into expensive proprietary PLC platforms and enjoy using the same old thing!
    David Campain
    Global Product Manager, Process Control Systems
    Wood is excited to be part of defining the future of automation and transforming profitability and productivity for the customers in our industrial markets. UniversalAutomation.org technology will enable business innovation, increase digital adoption and agility with its open, interoperable and portable solutions- building business resiliency and empowering our clients to be future-ready.
    German Carmona
    Global President of Wood’s Digital Consulting business
    We are excited to be part of UniversalAutomation.org because it promises to be a complete game changer. It opens up a new world of possibilities for organisations like ours. Unlocking valuable data currently buried in proprietary systems, making the connectivity and deployment of new technologies like Artificial Intelligence quick and simple. As part of UniversalAutomation.org we are actively collaborating with and supporting like-minded organisations to create an exciting new open era in operations and automation.
    Valeriy Vyatkin
    Professor of Electrical Engineering at Aalto University
    We're excited to be part of UniversalAutomation.org because it promises to be a complete game-changer. It opens up a whole new world of possibilities for organisations like ours. Unlocking valuable data currently buried in proprietary systems, making the connectivity and deployment of new technologies like Artificial intelligence quick and simple. As part of UniversalAutomation.org, we are actively collaborating with and supporting like-minded organisations to create an exciting new open era in operations and automation.
    Jac Opmeer
    Principal Automation Engineer at Shell
    The creation of UniversalAutomation.org is the dawn of a new era within automation technology; over the course of the next five years, it will create a sea change for the future of automation software development. We are delighted to be a part of UniversalAutomation.org, driving the development of a “plug and produce” system which will help the industry keep up with the increasing demands of flexible manufacturing. There is no doubt that as members continue to join the organization and reap the benefits of collaboration and openness, that industry-wide change will follow.
    Dmitrii Drozdov
    Chief Technology Officer at Flexbridge
    Franco Cavadini
    Dominic de Kerf
    Sølve Raaen
    Dave Campain
    German Carmona
    Valeriy Vyatkin
    Jac Opmeer
    Dimitrii Drozdov
    • ExxonMobil
    • TriSystems
    • Analog Devices
    • BASF
    • Bucher automation
    • Bilfinger
    • Schneider Electric
    • KTL - Korea Testing Laboratory
    • JW
    • Cargill
    • The University of Warnwick
    • Bihl+Wiedemann
    • Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology - SIMTech
    • UFRN - Universidade Federal do Rio grande do norte
    • Onify
    • ODOT Automation
    • CMR Group
    • Indeff
    • ICT Group
    • Raster Industrial Automation
    • Hyundai
    • RoviSys
    • Platinum Electrical Engineering
    • Huazhong University of Science and Technology
    • Upstate Automation
    • Westcon
    • JKU
    • Mayer Electric
    • Flexbridge
    • GR3N
    • KPI Automation
    • ISAAC Engineering
    • Crescent Electric
    • MatriBox
    • SUPSI
    • Meisterschulen am Ostbahnhof
    • Universidad Nacional de Colombia
    • Fare Ingénierie
    • AFRY
    • ASRock Industrial
    • Technical University of Kosice
    • ENG
    • https://summit.com/
    • Master Systèmes
    • Edith Cowan University - Australian University
    • Taotech
    • Radical Ingenuity Group
    • Stahl
    • Morson Projects - Ematics
    • Armony System
    • Sciyon
    • shell
    • Kongsberg
    • AIMIRIM
    • Veolia
    • TenLink
    • eDF
    • Omron
    • BPX
    • FLSmidth
    • Digital Manufacturing Ireland
    • ESME
    • Cognex
    • AAC
    • CloudRail
    • Graybar
    • Pontificia Universidad Javeriana
    • HNAC Technology
    • NeoDyne

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