Wandelbots Ushers in ‘Physical AI’ Revolution with Microsoft Azure Partnership
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Dresden-based robotics firm Wandelbots is making its Nova platform available as a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution on Microsoft Azure, aiming to bridge the gap between the physical and digital worlds and accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence in industrial settings.
Wandelbots Nova is designed to connect operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT) systems through standardized application programming interfaces (APIs), encompassing the entire automation lifecycle – from initial simulation and planning to execution, operation, and continuous optimization. The platform leverages Microsoft Azure solutions, including Azure Arc and Fabric, alongside Nvidia tools like Omniverse, to facilitate seamless integration between IT and OT environments.
The Power of Connected Machines
At its core, Wandelbots Nova functions as a unifying layer, connecting machines, sensors, and AI models via open interfaces. This allows the platform to consolidate data from diverse robotics and automation systems, making it readily accessible for training and deploying AI models. The resulting data is then processed within Microsoft Azure’s secure and scalable cloud infrastructure, creating a cohesive architecture that extends from the factory floor to the cloud.
“We softwareize production and logistics to make OT flexible and efficient,” stated a company representative. “Digitalization and automation are the most important aspects of keeping European industry sustainable.” The firm believes physical AI – the integration of AI directly into physical processes – is no longer a futuristic concept but a present-day reality.
Industry 5.0 and the Rise of ‘Smart Data’
According to a senior official at Microsoft, “Artificial intelligence has ushered in the fifth industrial revolution: an era in which physical and digital systems merge.” Microsoft views its partnership with Wandelbots as a key driver of this evolution, bringing machine learning directly to the point of impact – the shop floor.
The shift represents a progression from Industry 4.0, which focused on connecting systems, to Industry 5.0, which aims to make those systems intelligent. This is achieved by not only collecting data but also translating it into actionable insights through AI, transforming production environments into adaptive systems where specialized knowledge, automation, and AI work in harmony. This represents a move from simply collecting big data to generating smart data.
From Simulation to Reality with Schaeffler
Wandelbots Nova enables a transition from traditional, rigidly programmed robots to systems capable of adaptive behavior. These systems learn from data and context, continuously adjusting to new environments and tasks.
Automotive and industrial supplier Schaeffler is already utilizing Wandelbots Nova to validate new processes in simulated environments before deploying them to physical robot cells in production. This “sim-to-real” approach significantly reduces development time and costs while accelerating the implementation of new automation solutions.
Looking Ahead
The integration of Wandelbots Nova with Microsoft Azure positions the platform as a key enabler of the next wave of industrial innovation. By democratizing access to physical AI, Wandelbots and Microsoft are empowering companies to future-proof their production processes and unlock new levels of efficiency, flexibility, and economic viability.
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You can learn more about emerging trends in robotics at the “Robotics Innovations” web session hosted by automation practice on May 24, 2023, featuring insights from companies like Idealworks, Linde, Exotec, and Fruitcore.
