Bosch Rexroth Makes Virtualization and AI Updates to ctrlX

Most manufacturers feel like they’re scrambling to keep up with all the advances in automation technology. But it’s important to realize that automation technology suppliers are scrambling in their own way to keep up with manufacturers’ demands for more flexibility, openness and customization capabilities.

These demands on automation technology suppliers have quite literally changed the automation sector in multiple ways, particularly in regard to openness around interoperability with manufacturers’ existing systems and the ability for third-party tech suppliers to deliver plug-and-play technologies.

A good example of how this is playing out can be seen in recent updates to the Bosch Rexroth ctrlX product line. The company said these updates to its ctrlX OS operating system and ctrlX Automation platform, reflect its adaptation to “the industry's shift toward software-centric, AI-enabled manufacturing solutions.”

Virtual ctrlX OS

Potentially the most significant update to ctrlX OS is the introduction of a virtualized version that can run on customers' existing server infrastructure. This update allows companies to deploy automation applications wherever they make the most strategic sense, whether it’s in control systems or on edge devices for real-time or near real-time performance, or in the cloud for less time-critical operations.

According to Bosch Rexroth, the virtualized version of ctrlX OS maintains identical interfaces, data models and apps as the physical version while enabling more efficient resource utilization and simplified administration through established IT processes. "With the virtualization of ctrlX OS, we are breaking down the last silos between machine control and IT," said Steffen Winkler, senior vice president of sales at Bosch Rexroth's Automation & Electrification Solutions. 

Three versions for different application requirements

To enable greater flexibility around deployment, Bosch Rexroth now offers ctrlX OS in three versions, all of which provide access to the company’s open ecosystem, including the software development kit, community resources and centralized device management.

• The standard version, developed for companies seeking rapid deployment, provides a turnkey system image for x86/64 hardware. Bosch Rexroth said, “this is the fastest way to use ctrlX OS on a range of commercial devices.”
• The customized version enables kernel-level modifications for integrating specific hardware drivers, allowing manufacturers to leverage existing equipment. 
• The premium version offers more customization possibilities across the entire operating system, including branding and user guidance. This version was designed for Bosch Rexroth partners building ctrlX OS into their own product lines.

Expanded security and support

As part of this ctrlX OS update, the technology gains long-term stability and maintainability improvements including network drive integration, access to external storage media and a new partition manager for efficient storage management. The update also adds support for redundancy protocols and detailed network traffic analysis at the TCP level.

Further security updates include the ability for ctrlX OS to meet the key requirements of the upcoming Cyber Resilience Act (CRA), with Bosch Rexroth committing to align all ctrlX Automation products with CRA criteria by the end of 2027.

The company added that the operating system follows secure-by-design and secure-by-default principles and holds IEC 62443-4-2 Security Level 2 certification from TÜV Rheinland. 

AI integration across the platform

Beyond ctrlX OS, Bosch Rexroth noted that its ctrlX Automation platform now features artificial intelligence functions at multiple levels. For example, the ctrlX Core Plus control platform has an optional AI module for edge-based data processing. To support this, the platform has increased computing power, memory and storage capacity to run vision and AI applications locally.

This AI-related hardware portfolio expansion includes scalable IPCs with Nvidia 2000A GPUs for intensive vision and AI workloads, while Bosch Rexroth’s HMI lineup now offers double the performance in a reduced footprint. 

Expanding ctrlX ecosystem 

Bosch Rexroth reported that its ctrlX OS Store, which launched in 2020, now hosts 86 apps covering everything from IoT connectivity to vision systems and security tools. A new Security Scanner app reportedly enables comprehensive machine inventory at the network level, helping identify potential vulnerabilities early.

New preconfigured solution sets are also available. These sets bundle hardware and software components for specific applications. For example, the "Mobile Robots" solution set combines control systems, I/O modules and laser-based localization software for precise positioning of mobile robots and manual forklift trucks.

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