Honeywell AI Powered Control Room Assistant
Honeywell announced the commercial launch of Experion Operations Assistant, an AI‑powered control‑room solution built on its Experion PKS platform. The assistant merges historical and real‑time data to forecast unsafe conditions and production losses, giving operators 5‑10 minutes of advance warning before alarms trigger. A pilot program with Chevron and TotalEnergies demonstrated the technology’s ability to reduce unplanned downtime by predicting incidents early. The rollout aims to bridge the gap between autonomous plant technologies and human operators, enhancing safety and efficiency across industrial sites.
25 Most-Learned Skills Survey
Wiingy, a tutor‑marketplace, released a data‑driven report identifying the 25 most‑learned skills in America, drawing from over 6.7 million monthly Google Keyword Planner and Ahrefs searches. Technology topics dominate, accounting for 33 % of queries, with Python, artificial intelligence and data science...
ABB Adds Symphony PLus to Automation Extended
ABB has released SPR2025, the latest Symphony Plus distributed control system (DCS) package, integrating its Automation Extended platform. The update adds system‑wide OPC UA, an Ethernet backbone, and support for modern Microsoft operating systems and virtualization platforms, enabling secure, interoperable...
Buggy AI-Generated Code
Generative AI tools are increasingly responsible for production‑grade bugs, prompting Amazon’s e‑commerce and AWS divisions to experience notable outages. Senior VP Dave Treadwell convened an all‑hands meeting, mandating senior engineer sign‑offs on AI‑assisted code changes. Anthropic responded with Claude Code,...
Velotic Launches Combining Former Proficy, Kepware, ThingWorx
Velotic has launched as an independent industrial software firm, merging GE Vernova’s Proficy, PTC’s Kepware and ThingWorx under the financial backing of private‑equity firm TPG. The company is led by former Rockwell Automation executive Brian Shepherd as CEO and PTC...
Free Robotic Learning Event in Northern Nevada
OnRobot is hosting a free, in‑person “Build Your Automation Roadmap” event in Reno on April 9, 2026, showcasing FANUC robots and end‑of‑arm tooling for manufacturers. The session targets metal fabrication, CNC machining, electronics, aerospace, food & beverage, and industrial equipment firms...
SUSE Just Acquired Losant
SUSE announced on February 19 that it has acquired Losant, an Industrial Internet of Things platform, to expand its edge portfolio into operational execution at the “Tiny Edge.” The deal includes plans to open‑source Losant’s technology and feed it into...
Datadobi Announces Early Access Program for Data Access Review
Datadobi has launched an Early Access Program for Data Access Review, a new permissions‑intelligence capability for its StorageMAP platform. The feature adds visibility into who can access unstructured data, helping organizations spot excessive, outdated, or inappropriate rights. Selected current StorageMAP...
Writing As Thinking
The author reflects on the resurgence of plagiarism fears as AI large‑language models begin to produce essays and press releases. By sharing a personal anecdote about duplicated university papers and a recent experiment using Claude to draft a smart‑manufacturing article,...
Survey Notes Most Companies Lack Customer Feedback
The Interact Analysis survey of over 200 global executives reveals that most companies still lack a formal, structured customer‑feedback program. Only 30% of respondents have a fully developed system, and those are primarily large firms with revenues above $1 billion. Smaller...
Foxboro Control System Updated Information
Schneider Electric introduced Foxboro SDA, a software‑defined distributed control system that decouples control software from hardware. The open architecture offers vendor independence, scalability, and seamless integration with legacy plants. Built on IEC 62443‑3‑3 standards, it delivers cyber‑secure, AI‑ready operations while lowering...
Problems With Legacy DCS
Legacy distributed control systems (DCS) are reaching end‑of‑life, leaving plant operators without vendor‑supported upgrades. ABB and Schneider Electric have announced migration toolkits, but the announcements lack concrete technical detail. Industry experts, including John Rezabek, are urging the adoption of Open...
Catching Up With Tom Burke and His Inductive Automation Pivot
Inductive Automation has appointed Tom Burke, former OPC Foundation leader, as Technology Evangelist. Burke’s background includes roles at Mitsubishi and the CC Link Partners Association, positioning him to champion lightweight messaging standards like MQTT and Sparkplug within Inductive’s platform. The...
Manufacturing Industry Forecast 2.9% Growth in 2026 As Asia Leads The Way
Interact Analysis projects global manufacturing output to grow 2.9% in 2026, up from 2.0% in 2025, with an average annual rate of 3.1% through 2030. Asia emerges as the strongest region, delivering 3.2% growth and a $30.1 trillion output, while India...
Mitsubishi Electric US Announces Structural Reorganization in the US
On February 5, 2026, Mitsubishi Electric US announced a structural reorganization that consolidates Mitsubishi Electric Automation, Inc. (MEAU) and Mitsubishi Electric Automotive America’s (MEAA) operations under Mitsubishi Electric US, Inc. (MEUS). The automation business becomes the Industrial Automation Division of...
ABB Automation Extended
ABB announced its Automation Extended program, a strategic evolution of its distributed control systems that lets customers modernize without interrupting operations. The initiative builds on the long‑standing ABB Ability System 800xA platform, now released as version 7.0 with a separation‑of‑concerns...
Simplifying Complex Systems
Two major automation vendors, ABB and Schneider Electric’s Foxboro unit, announced distinct strategies for upgrading existing process control systems. ABB leverages its extensive installed base to offer a comprehensive modernization pathway, while Schneider emphasizes a modular, open architecture aimed at...