The Automation Fair Trends That Will Matter Most In 2025

“Make it Matter” was the theme of Automation Fair 2024, but how do you determine what matters most at Rockwell Automation’s premier industrial automation event? We went to Anaheim for four days of inspiration, connections, experiences and training, and after 450+ hours of advanced training, 400+ presenters, 120+ interactive exhibits and 275+ educational sessions, these are the automation trends and technology that will matter most in 2025.

‘AI IS THE NEW ELECTRICITY’

Viqui Carballo
Project Management Specialist

As a first-time Automation Fair attendee, it’s hard to pick one trend or technology that stood out the most. There were autonomous mobile robots, planar motors and Spot the Robot Dog! But the biggest takeaway was keynote Anat Baron’s idea that, “AI is the new electricity.”

AI will continue to completely change how we do business. What does your company look like in a world where everyone is a programmer? Essentially, we will be in a place where we can tell a program to write in the same way that we currently ask an engineer to write a program. Computer programmers will be infinite due to AI, therefore domain knowledge and experience will be more essential than ever.

It is important to understand that AI cannot critically think. It will, however, forever change the way we work, and it is up to us to learn how to use it in a responsible and ethical way.

AI INTEGRATION IS HERE

Mark Kraft
Power and OEM Solutions Manager

It has been talked about so much that it's almost cliché at this point, but AI is here and it’s being integrated into Rockwell Automation products.

At Automation Fair 2024, Rockwell showed how AI is making a real impact on manufacturing operations. Tools like FactoryTalk GuardianAI and LogixAI are changing the way industries approach predictive maintenance and process optimization.

GuardianAI uses data from variable frequency drives to monitor equipment conditions and predict failures, eliminating the need for extra sensors. LogixAI brings machine learning directly into controllers, enabling manufacturers to detect problems and improve processes in real-time, all without needing advanced data science skills. These AI-powered tools are helping companies reduce downtime, extend equipment life and optimize performance, making operations more efficient and cost-effective.

SOFTWARE AS A SOLUTION (SaaS) IS ON THE RISE

Hammam Mukhtar
Automation and Software Product Specialist

The rise of cloud-based solutions was clear at Automation Fair 2024, especially with platforms like FactoryTalk Hub taking center stage. These SaaS tools are revolutionizing the way teams collaborate and operate, allowing real-time updates and seamless work across different locations.

On the show floor, it was easy to see how SaaS can reduce the need for extensive infrastructure, improving scalability and efficiency across manufacturing processes. The best example is the integration of FactoryTalk Remote Access across a variety of hardware like OptixPanels™ and ASEM™ industrial PCs.

With the growing demand for flexible and scalable solutions, SaaS platforms are providing businesses with the tools they need to stay competitive in an ever-changing landscape.

POWER DELIVERY WILL BE SAFER AND MORE EFFICIENT

Jason Ostrander
Panel Solutions Specialist

Would you believe you can eliminate the need for conduit, breakers and on-site electricians to run power to new locations for temporary or permanent power needs? Panduit was showing off its Fault Managed Power System (FMPS), a new product for running power in an easy, cost effective and safe environment over low voltage type cabling at up to 2 km per run. It allows system integrators to safely, and remotely, provide significant power over long distances.

This power system is centrally located and managed by a fault system, and the accompanying software system allows for monitoring and notifications on power faults. Plus, it is more reliable for new and future industrial electronics that could be sensitive to local power sources full of electro-magnetic interference and fluctuations. It will be exciting to see the time and cost savings our customers can achieve with this technology.

DON’T MISS AUTOMATION FAIR 2025 IN CHICAGO

Now that you’re caught up on what mattered most at Automation Fair 2024, do you want to experience technologies and trends like these? Join us for Automation Fair 2025 in Chicago next November. Let us know if you are interested in attending, and we’ll share all the details when we get closer to registration.

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