Rudy Lai

AI @ Rockwell Automation

Industrial automation and software
Industry
Last updated
July 3, 2025 at 10:44 AM

Summary

  • Rockwell Automation has progressively integrated AI technologies from 2019 through 2025, evolving from anomaly detection (FactoryTalk Analytics LogixAI) to expansive generative AI solutions and AI-enhanced robotics in partnership with Microsoft and Nvidia.
  • The company emphasizes AI's role in digitalizing industrial processes, boosting productivity, quality control, and sustainability, as reflected in its Factory of the Future initiatives, strategic alliances, and solutions addressing skills gaps and labor shortages.
  • AI adoption is mature and expanding, with advanced applications like AI-powered vision inspection, autonomous operations supported by digital twins (NVIDIA Omniverse), and AI-driven operational excellence reports showing high industry investment and broad customer impact, including in international markets like the UK and India.

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7 AI Use Cases at Rockwell Automation

Workforce Augmentation
2025
Traditional
Generative
Agentic
Outcome
Risk
AI is used to address labor shortages and skills gaps by automating routine tasks and augmenting workforce capabilities, improving productivity in manufacturing plants. [1]
Quality Inspection
2025
Customer Facing
Traditional
Generative
Agentic
Outcome
Costs
AI and machine learning-driven vision inspection technologies improve manufacturing quality and yield by identifying defects with high accuracy and reducing waste. [1][2]
Energy Optimization
2025
Traditional
Generative
Agentic
Outcome
Costs
By analyzing energy consumption data with AI, Rockwell optimizes energy use in manufacturing, improving sustainability and reducing operational costs. [1]
Autonomous Operations
2024
Traditional
Generative
Agentic
Outcome
Rockwell employs AI-powered digital twins using NVIDIA Omniverse to simulate and enable autonomous factory operations, enhancing operational efficiency and agility. [1]
Code Generation
2023
Customer Facing
Traditional
Generative
Agentic
Outcome
Revenue
Leveraging generative AI tools in partnership with Microsoft, Rockwell automates the creation of OT code samples, enabling faster customization and reducing manual programming errors. [1]
Predictive Maintenance
2023
Traditional
Generative
Agentic
Outcome
Costs
The company employs AI-powered predictive maintenance software, such as Fiix's Asset Risk Predictor, to assess equipment risk and schedule interventions before failures occur. [1]
Anomaly Detection
2019
Traditional
Generative
Agentic
Outcome
Risk
Rockwell Automation uses AI modules like FactoryTalk Analytics LogixAI to detect production anomalies early and alert operators to prevent downtime or defects. [1]

Timeline

2025 Q4: no updates

2025 Q3

1 updates

Showcased AI-driven water treatment solutions and machine learning for utilities on unified control platforms; sustained emphasis on AI powering sustainable manufacturing.

2025 Q2

4 updates

Highlighted AI's role in high-quality product inspection with machine vision reducing waste; published 2025 Smart Manufacturing Report showing 95% of manufacturers investing in AI; AI addresses skills gaps and labor shortages; UK leads Europe in smart manufacturing adoption.

2025 Q1

2 updates

Rockwell Automation leverages AI for energy consumption optimization and sustainability initiatives; highlights AI’s transformative impact on manufacturing in India.

2024 Q4

3 updates

Introduced advanced AI-powered vision inspection systems for quality control; deepened AI collaboration with Microsoft; launched AI-powered factory digital twins with NVIDIA Omniverse enabling autonomous operations.

2024 Q3

1 updates

Published initiatives on transforming data with AI-driven machine learning and predictive analytics to optimize production, quality, and maintenance.

2024 Q2

3 updates

Integrated Nvidia AI software into autonomous mobile robots; AI spotlighted in annual State of Smart Manufacturing Report; generative AI recognized as top investment area.

2024 Q1

2 updates

Announced AI scale-up with Nvidia to foster Factory of the Future; continued partnership with Microsoft to employ generative AI to augment automation across roles.

2023 Q4

4 updates

Expanded generative AI integration with Microsoft partnership; introduced AI tools facilitating OT code generation, customization, and operational efficiency improvements.

2023 Q3

1 updates

Fiix, a Rockwell Automation company, launched its first AI predictive maintenance software, Asset Risk Predictor, to assess equipment risk.

2023 Q2: no updates

2023 Q1: no updates

2022 Q4: no updates

2022 Q3: no updates

2022 Q2: no updates

2022 Q1: no updates

2021 Q4: no updates

2021 Q3: no updates

2021 Q2: no updates

2021 Q1: no updates

2020 Q4: no updates

2020 Q3: no updates

2020 Q2: no updates

2020 Q1: no updates

2019 Q4: no updates

2019 Q3

1 updates

Introduced FactoryTalk Analytics LogixAI (formerly Project Sherlock), an AI module to detect production anomalies and alert operators.