Bosch Rexroth & Advantech: Edge IPCs with ctrlX OS for Industry 4.0

Bosch Rexroth and Advantech Partner to Streamline Industrial Edge Computing with ctrlX OS

A new collaboration between industrial automation leader Bosch Rexroth and IPC manufacturer Advantech promises to accelerate the advancement and deployment of edge solutions for Industry 4.0 applications. The partnership will see advantech’s UNO series of Edge IPCs pre-loaded with the ctrlX OS operating system and a suite of pre-installed applications, simplifying integration and reducing time to market.

The demand for sophisticated edge computing capabilities is rapidly increasing as IoT gateways and edge platforms evolve beyond simple data transmission. Today’s industrial environments require these systems to be secure, flexible, and rapidly deployable. This cooperation directly addresses those needs, according to a company release.

Did you know? – Edge computing brings processing closer to the data source, improving speed and reducing latency. This is crucial for real-time industrial applications.

The core of the collaboration lies in combining Bosch Rexroth’s open, app-based ctrlX OS with Advantech’s modular hardware. This synergy is designed to substantially shorten integration times for industrial automation projects. The initial phase will focus on integrating the Linux-based ctrlX OS, along with essential apps like Firewall, Node-RED, InfluxDB, and an IoT Dashboard from the ctrlX OS store, directly into Advantech’s UNO series Edge IPCs.

This move aims to establish a robust software foundation across Advantech’s expanding hardware portfolio, enabling flexible implementation of diverse industrial requirements. The system is scalable, catering to applications ranging from basic IoT edge gateways to complex edge control systems. Automation operators can leverage app and hardware modules to quickly configure gateways, adding industry-specific functionality through the ctrlX OS Store – utilizing apps from Bosch Rexroth, ctrlX World partners, or their own custom developments. Advantech’s hardware provides the scalability of resources like memory and storage, while ctrlX OS delivers a modular software approach.

Reader question: – How will this partnership impact the cost of implementing edge computing solutions for smaller businesses? What are the potential barriers to entry?

“ctrlX OS brings software innovations directly into the product world of the global IPC manufacturer,” explained Steffen Winkler, Sales Manager Automation & Electrification Solutions at Bosch Rexroth. Jash Bansidhar, head of IoT Automation at Advantech, added, “With our bundle, customers can quickly develop, adapt and put new solutions into production. This reduces development effort and accelerates the time to market.”

Security is a paramount concern in industrial environments, and the ctrlX OS is certified according to IEC 62443-4-2 Security Level 2 by TÜV Rheinland.Advantech further enhances the offering with its WISE IoT Marketplace, providing consistent end-to-end solutions for seamless data transfer from the edge to cloud services. This integrated approach aims to provide a secure and streamlined pathway for industrial data management and analysis.