UAO Goes Live: The Future of Automation

In this episode of UAO Goes Live, our Chief Architect unveils Runtime Execution Engine V24.1.New capabilities include Modbus explicit read/write, updated third‑party libraries and an OPC UA stack upgrade, improved WebSocket and MQTT connection management, and enhancements for PROFINET acyclic and alarm exchange.Fixes address Ethernet/IP explicit messaging, MQTT stability and throughput, Modbus register handling, and mixed Ethernet/IP + PROFINET deployments.We also preview the roadmap (hardware‑configuration online change, LLVM compiler, PROFINET CCA work, Modbus TCP server for HA, EtherCAT, UTF‑8 strings, and an Open Adapter concept) and clarify how UAO technology differs from virtual PLCs while supporting Open Software Defined Automation.About UniversalAutomation.org (UAO)UniversalAutomation.org (UAO) is an independent non-profit organization dedicated to transforming industrial automation through open standards and shared source technology. The association manages the reference implementation of a shared runtime execution engine based on the IEC 61499 standard, enabling true interoperability between hardware from multiple vendors and portability of automation software applications.By providing a ready-to-use, vendor-neutral runtime environment, UniversalAutomation.org empowers companies to build flexible Industry 4.0 architectures, accelerate digital transformation, and maximize return on investment (ROI) through software reusability and hardware independence.The development of this runtime is governed by shared source principles, ensuring long-term compatibility and collaborative innovation. Members—including end users, OEMs, system integrators, and technology vendors—work collectively to create a global ecosystem for plug-and-produce automation solutions.UniversalAutomation.org is growing rapidly as more organizations adopt open automation to overcome vendor lock-in, enable IT/OT convergence, and support greenfield and brownfield projects. Academic institutions are also leveraging this technology to train the next generation of automation engineers.Companies and institutions that want to lead the future of industrial automation, develop next-generation control systems, and participate in a global open automation community are invited to join UniversalAutomation.org.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode of UAO Goes Live, J&W shares a real process‑control implementation for DeNora using UAO technology.From P&ID and cause‑and‑effect matrices to modular function blocks and HMI symbols, the team implements PID loops, hysteresis control, and multi‑step sequences for electrochlorination and water electrolysis. The solution runs on M580 and SoftDPAC with OPC UA to external historians, showing how event‑driven engineering improves modularity, maintainability, and portability—supporting Open Software Defined Automation.About UniversalAutomation.org (UAO)UniversalAutomation.org (UAO) is an independent non-profit organization dedicated to transforming industrial automation through open standards and shared source technology. The association manages the reference implementation of a shared runtime execution engine based on the IEC 61499 standard, enabling true interoperability between hardware from multiple vendors and portability of automation software applications.By providing a ready-to-use, vendor-neutral runtime environment, UniversalAutomation.org empowers companies to build flexible Industry 4.0 architectures, accelerate digital transformation, and maximize return on investment (ROI) through software reusability and hardware independence.The development of this runtime is governed by shared source principles, ensuring long-term compatibility and collaborative innovation. Members—including end users, OEMs, system integrators, and technology vendors—work collectively to create a global ecosystem for plug-and-produce automation solutions.UniversalAutomation.org is growing rapidly as more organizations adopt open automation to overcome vendor lock-in, enable IT/OT convergence, and support greenfield and brownfield projects. Academic institutions are also leveraging this technology to train the next generation of automation engineers.Companies and institutions that want to lead the future of industrial automation, develop next-generation control systems, and participate in a global open automation community are invited to join UniversalAutomation.org.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode of UAO Goes Live, GR3N and Barbara show how UAO technology and edge orchestration enable secure, large‑scale deployments.We explore microwave‑assisted depolymerization as a sustainability use case, then quantify the challenge of operating many apps per device across many plants, and how Barbara OS and the Barbara Panel provide remote deployment, CI/CD, high availability, and VPN‑based remote engineering for EcoStruxure Automation Expert.The result is faster rollouts, fewer human errors, and a practical blueprint for interoperable, portable automation that advances Open Software Defined Automation.About UniversalAutomation.org (UAO)UniversalAutomation.org (UAO) is an independent non-profit organization dedicated to transforming industrial automation through open standards and shared source technology. The association manages the reference implementation of a shared runtime execution engine based on the IEC 61499 standard, enabling true interoperability between hardware from multiple vendors and portability of automation software applications.By providing a ready-to-use, vendor-neutral runtime environment, UniversalAutomation.org empowers companies to build flexible Industry 4.0 architectures, accelerate digital transformation, and maximize return on investment (ROI) through software reusability and hardware independence.The development of this runtime is governed by shared source principles, ensuring long-term compatibility and collaborative innovation. Members—including end users, OEMs, system integrators, and technology vendors—work collectively to create a global ecosystem for plug-and-produce automation solutions.UniversalAutomation.org is growing rapidly as more organizations adopt open automation to overcome vendor lock-in, enable IT/OT convergence, and support greenfield and brownfield projects. Academic institutions are also leveraging this technology to train the next generation of automation engineers.Companies and institutions that want to lead the future of industrial automation, develop next-generation control systems, and participate in a global open automation community are invited to join UniversalAutomation.org.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode of UAO Goes Live, Luleå University of Technology demonstrates how AI agents collaborate with UAO technology using a skill‑based approach.The session covers natural‑language interaction with machines, OPC UA execution of skills, human‑in‑the‑loop safeguards, and a configurable agent platform that lets engineers build their own agents for digital twins and real equipment.Live demos include a processing station (test, drill, rotate) and a distributing station (pick/place) to show planning, feedback, and dynamic sequencing—supporting interoperable, portable applications and Open Software Defined Automation.About UniversalAutomation.org (UAO)UniversalAutomation.org (UAO) is an independent non-profit organization dedicated to transforming industrial automation through open standards and shared source technology. The association manages the reference implementation of a shared runtime execution engine based on the IEC 61499 standard, enabling true interoperability between hardware from multiple vendors and portability of automation software applications.By providing a ready-to-use, vendor-neutral runtime environment, UniversalAutomation.org empowers companies to build flexible Industry 4.0 architectures, accelerate digital transformation, and maximize return on investment (ROI) through software reusability and hardware independence.The development of this runtime is governed by shared source principles, ensuring long-term compatibility and collaborative innovation. Members—including end users, OEMs, system integrators, and technology vendors—work collectively to create a global ecosystem for plug-and-produce automation solutions.UniversalAutomation.org is growing rapidly as more organizations adopt open automation to overcome vendor lock-in, enable IT/OT convergence, and support greenfield and brownfield projects. Academic institutions are also leveraging this technology to train the next generation of automation engineers.Companies and institutions that want to lead the future of industrial automation, develop next-generation control systems, and participate in a global open automation community are invited to join UniversalAutomation.org.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.