Third-party providers can offer their own applications via the established automation platform

• Partner network with wide selection of third-party applications
• Easy downloading via the ctrlX Store
• Further partnerships also for hardware and co-creation of solutions

With ctrlX AUTOMATION, Bosch Rexroth has initiated an open ecosystem with applications for any automation task. Users can use apps from Bosch Rexroth, applications from third-parties or apps they have produced themselves. More and more providers are joining the ctrlX World. Thanks to the influential platform, they can broaden their business models and increase the range of their solutions. Bosch Rexroth is also expanding its partnerships in hardware and co-creation of new solutions.

“With the ctrlX AUTOMATION platform, we offer complete openness. This means that we provide not only our own apps but also a wide range of existing apps from third-party providers. Customers can download AI apps for production and process improvements or intelligent software expansions for mechanisms such as gearboxes or gripping and tensioning systems. At the same time, solutions for MES connectivity, voice recognition, network IT security, HMI visualization and much more are available. We have experienced software partners who can quickly implement further functions for ctrlX AUTOMATION,” explained Steffen Winkler, Vice President Sales of the Business Unit Automation & Electrification Solutions of Bosch Rexroth.

Bosch Rexroth is also working intensively on further partnerships in the field of hardware and is opening its platform for co-creation of new solutions. Users thus benefit from the constantly growing offer.

The apps can be downloaded from the ctrlX Store and assigned to the ctrlX CORE control platform via a licensing system. Apps from third-party provides can be integrated via the Software Development Kit for ctrlX AUTOMATION. Existing code can easily be integrated as an app – both for real-time and non-real-time applications. Numerous programming languages such as C++, Python, Java etc. are supported. Via the ctrlX Data Layer, these apps can contain ctrlX CORE automation data too and share information with Bosch Rexroth apps.

The following third-party providers are partners in the growing ctrlX World:

SCHUNK GmbH & Co. KG

“The greatest strength of the Rexroth solution is its openness. As a specialist for gripping and clamping systems, we have developed our software over recent years using various programming languages such as C, C++ and Python along with various libraries. In a relatively short time, we have managed to port such a system in prototype form to ctrlX AUTOMATION and to test it there,” explained Martin May, Head of the SCHUNK Innovation Center.

Wittenstein SE

“WITTENSTEIN alpha is the first component manufacturer to offer smart gearboxes as standard – gearboxes with cynapse. They have an integrated sensor module which allows Industry 4.0 connectivity. ctrlX AUTOMATION from Bosch Rexroth supports the openness of cynapse and the easy integration of general applications. Customers are thus given the opportunity to integrate smart services from WITTENSTEIN into an overall system in a user-friendly manner,” said Patrick Hantschel, Director of the Digitalization Center at WITTENSTEIN SE.

FORCAM GmbH

“With ctrlX AUTOMATION, Bosch Rexroth opens up a new world of automation for manufacturing companies. FORCAM is doing just that too. With our turnkey, freely expandable IT platform solution, we are helping customers to significantly increase their efficiency and competitiveness – from the machine connection, the digital twin in production and shop and top floor connectivity to cloud solutions. Thanks to a sales partnership with ctrlX AUTOMATION, we can offer companies a double advantage: firstly, bundled expertise for a comprehensive machine connection, allowing the shop floor transformation to start quickly with immediate increases in efficiency. Secondly, a gateway to a complete solution in order to cope with all subsequent steps,” explained Oliver Hoffmann, Co-CEO at FORCAM.

Rhebo GmbH

“We specialize in industrial security and network stability. Industrial Protector monitors and detects anomalies of the automation system and thus ensures not only cyber security but also process stability and plant availability. The entire communication is analyzed within the automation system in real-time. As a mature, user-friendly and high-performance solution, ctrlX AUTOMATION sets new standards for automation systems. The useful basic functions together with the great expandability allowing connection to other systems make ctrlX AUTOMATION a very good integration platform for a wide range of industrial applications. Exactly this is also an important multiplier in the success of our solutions”, explained Klaus Mochalski, CEO and founder of Rhebo.

XITASO GmbH

“We carried out a detailed analysis of the ctrlX AUTOMATION platform as regards its software architecture and modern software engineering methods and processes. ctrlX CORE is the only platform on the market, which is based entirely on open software technologies. Proven, Linux-based software components are complemented by clever Bosch Rexroth components. On the basis of this architecture, it has the potential to integrate the strengths of OT, IT and modern software engineering technologies in an efficient manner. ctrlX AUTOMATION supports our goals as a digitalization partner and expert for software engineering of making complex systems straightforward and intuitive for users,” said Dr. Andreas Angerer, Head of Research and Innovation at XITASO GmbH.

MGA Ingenieurdienstleistungen GmbH

“Voice control which is well known in a private setting is now making its way into industry. MGA’s voice input app for ctrlX AUTOMATION gives machine operators maximum flexibility. Users can move freely around the machine and concentrate on their work piece rather than the operating panel. The system is coupled to a response system, so the operator receives an answer from the machine too. MGA specializes in process automation and control systems. With the voice input app for ctrlX AUTOMATION, it has created an innovation within the market,” explained Lorenz Arnold, CEO at MGA.

Other partners include Bosch.IO GmbH, conductiv.ai, FutureFab, HD Vision Systems GmbH, HUCON AG, Mirasoft GmbH & Co. KG and Perfect Production GmbH.

As one of the world’s leading suppliers of drive and control technologies, Bosch Rexroth ensures efficient, powerful and safe movement in machines and systems of any size. The company bundles global application experience in the market segments of Mobile Applications, Machinery Applications and Engineering, and Factory Automation. With its intelligent components, customized system solutions and services, Bosch Rexroth is creating the necessary environment for fully connected applications. Bosch Rexroth offers its customers hydraulics, electric drive and control technology, gear technology and linear motion and assembly technology, including software and interfaces to the Internet of Things. With locations in over 80 countries, roughly 31,000 associates generated sales revenue of roughly 6.2 billion euros in 2019.
To learn more, please visit www.boschrexroth.com

The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. It employs roughly 400,000 associates worldwide (as of December 31, 2019). The company generated sales of 77.7 billion euros in 2019. Its operations are divided into four business sectors: Mobility Solutions, Industrial Technology, Consumer Goods, and Energy and Building Technology. As a leading IoT provider, Bosch offers innovative solutions for smart homes, Industry 4.0, and connected mobility. Bosch pursuing a vision of mobility that is sustainable, safe, and exciting. It uses its expertise in sensor technology, software, and services, as well as its own IoT cloud, to offer its customers connected, cross-domain solutions from a single source. The Bosch Group’s strategic objective is to facilitate connected living with products and solutions that either contain artificial intelligence (AI) or have been developed or manufactured with its help. Bosch improves quality of life worldwide with products and services that are innovative and spark enthusiasm. In short, Bosch creates technology that is “Invented for life.” The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its roughly 440 subsidiary and regional companies in 60 countries. Including sales and service partners, Bosch’s global manufacturing, engineering, and sales network covers nearly every country in the world. The basis for the company’s future growth is its innovative strength. Bosch employs some 72,600 associates in research and development at 126 locations across the globe, as well as roughly 30,000 software engineers.
Additional information is available online at www.bosch.com, www.iot.bosch.com, www.bosch-press.com, www.twitter.com/BoschPresse.