Innovation, modular architectures, and AI: what we’re taking away from this edition
We’ve just returned from Chicago, where Automation Fair 2025—Rockwell Automation’s global event—took place from November 17 to 20. And let’s be clear right away: this edition was not just a product showcase, but an immersive experience into the future of industrial automation.
Technologies, visions, and architectures that project us straight into the connected, predictive factory.
Here’s our perspective—between new releases, confirmations, and major practical insights.
Point I/O and EtherNet/IP: increasingly flexible architectures
Point I/O solutions continue to stand out for their modularity and compact design, making them ideal for decentralized applications. This year, Rockwell showcased even more refined integration with the EtherNet/IP™ network, enabling fast, secure, and standardized communications—even in complex environments.
In particular, it was highlighted how EtherNet/IP, thanks to CIP Security, now represents a robust standard for industrial network security, delivering both performance and protection within a single infrastructure.
M100: the electronic motor starter that simplifies
Already well known for its Point-on-Wave technology, the M100 Electronic Motor Starter once again proved its capabilities during live demos. Zero stacking, integrated overload protection, advanced diagnostics, and extreme compactness make the M100 a perfect solution for smart panels and space-constrained applications.
ControlLogix 5590: power, security, and connectivity
The new ControlLogix® 5590 took center stage.
With high-speed processing, integrated safety (up to SIL 3), advanced motion capabilities, and native support for CIP Security, the 5590 is the core of modern digital architectures.
Designed to manage complex processes, it is also fully scalable, making it ideal for both new installations and legacy system retrofits.
Logix SIS: advanced, integrated, and scalable safety
One of the strongest highlights of this edition was the concept of natively integrated safety.
The Logix SIS system redefines industrial safety logic by enabling process control and functional safety using the same hardware, the same software environment, and the same level of flexibility.
- Supports high-availability configurations
- Achieves SIL 3
- Enables simplified configuration, diagnostics, and maintenance, even in environments affected by skill gaps
FactoryTalk Analytics VisionAI: AI-driven visual inspection
VisionAI is Rockwell Automation’s answer to intelligent quality inspection.
A no-code machine vision system based on trainable AI models, capable of:
- detecting defects even under highly variable conditions
- providing root cause analysis
- integrating both at the machine level and in the cloud (connected to MES/QMS)
Thanks to its native integration within the FactoryTalk Hub™ suite, VisionAI enables 100% inspection, simplifying management and significantly reducing time-to-value.
Emulate3D and digital twin: design and validate in advance
Strong focus was also placed on simulation: with Emulate3D, it is possible to create a digital twin (a virtual replica) of your plant, validate control logic, test complex scenarios, and train operators safely—all before the machine is even built.
A real boost to reduce commissioning time and prevent costly errors.
Fiix & Asset IQ: maintenance becomes predictive
Last but not least, the role of intelligent maintenance.
Thanks to tools such as Fiix and Asset IQ, Rockwell shifts the focus from “fixing after failure” to “predicting before it happens.”
Data collected from sensors, PLCs, and connected systems is analyzed in real time to estimate failure risks, optimize resources, and reduce unplanned downtime.
What are we taking home?
A clear vision: integration, flexibility, intelligence.
Rockwell Automation is building an ecosystem where every element—from motor control to machine vision, from safety to predictive maintenance—is part of a coherent and scalable strategy.
At Technology BSA, we’re returning from Chicago with plenty of ideas, new connections, and fresh expertise ready to be applied immediately to our projects.
The technology is there. Now it’s up to us to use it well.
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