n TECHNOLOGY AT THE 2025 HANNOVER FAIR, Beckho unveiled a nextgeneration PLC that, it says, takes automation technology to the next level. Both engineering and runtime are noticeably faster with the with TwinCat PLC++, without compromising on integration, compatibility or openness. The controllers incorporate a new compiler technology and system structure, as well as an advanced chatbot function that Beckho describes as “a personal digital assistant with the potential to revolutionise engineering workows”. In TwinCat PLC++ runtime, the same control code runs up to 1.5 times faster than on previous TwinCat PLCs. The new TwinCat PLC++ compiler further optimises control code execution times, delivering a claimed performance boost of up to three times. The new architecture also supports deeper integration of TwinCat functions, allowing the new TwinCat CoAgent function – an evolution of the earlier TwinCat Chat chatbot – to be integrated as a programming assistant that supports both text-based and graphical code generation. The embedded chatbot is claimed to take control engineering to the next level by integrating cutting-edge technology directly into TwinCat projects. It supports a wide range of tasks, from precise code suggestions and smart code optimisation, to automatic creation of documents. Once it has been checked by the user, content generated by the bot can be incorporated easily into engineering projects. The TwinCat CoAgent also provides direct access to Beckho documentation and supports the development of user-friendly HMI controls. User interfaces can be designed and congured faster and more intuitively than before. It is even possible to create I/O topologies via chat, including the renaming of terminals and conguring of new I/O modules. In the future, it will be possible for the chatbot to adjust parameters individually, while an intelligent assistant will help to optimise congurations, not only speeding up I/O congurations, but also making it particularly exible for specic requirements. www.beckho .com/en-gb Next-gen PLC with built-in chatbot could ‘revolutionise workflows’ ABB HAS ANNOUNCED a generative AI-driven tool designed to solve the problem of knowledge being lost in industrial environments. Called Industrial Knowledge Vault, it can store and safeguard critical expertise, while transforming that knowledge into step-by-step workows, allowing workers to access and apply best practices, and helping businesses to run leaner while operating safely. ABB says that tests have shown that the Vault can cut workow creation e orts by 85%, increase team productivity by 45%, and reduce human errors by up to 90%. The Vault learns continuously from real-world operations, rening workows and best practices to drive continuous improvement. By integrating with existing industrial systems, it enhances collaboration between eld workers and control rooms, providing real-time visibility into job status and operational procedures which can reduce bottlenecks and improve overall process functioning. As experienced employees retire, the loss of their decades of knowledge threatens operational continuity, eciency and innovation. Traditional documentation is often fragmented, requiring signicant manual e ort to compile, interpret and apply. The new tool addresses this by capturing and structuring expertise in a secure central repository that can be accessed using natural language conversations. Developed in collaboration with Microsoft, Industrial Knowledge Vault uses ABB’s Genix CoPilot and Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI service to analyse and synthesize information into actionable procedures, allowing workers to retrieve insights via an intuitive, conversational interface. The tool allows workows to be generated using natural language inputs to create structured procedures in seconds, eliminating the need to parse documents manually. Its policy and procedure management capabilities ensure up-to-date, rolebased access to critical operational knowledge, streamlining compliance and version control. The tool also provides real-time guidance and decision support, o ering workers immediate insights, shortening the learning curve, and enhancing operational performance. The solution can be deployed across the cloud, on site, or via ABB SaaS (software as a service). “Industries everywhere are facing a critical knowledge gap as a generation of experienced workers retire and take their invaluable expertise with them,”explains Sanjit Shewale, ABB’s global head of digital for Process Industries. “Our Industrial Knowledge Vault tackles this challenge head-on by providing a secure and accessible platform to enable businesses to do more with digital. By capturing, preserving, and sharing this vital knowledge, businesses can ensure operational continuity and empower workforces with in-the-moment information to perform their jobs smarter, faster, and more sustainable.” https://new.abb.com/industrial-software/ connected-workforce/abb-ability-industrial-knowledge-vault Gen AI vault will preserve knowledge from industry experts May 2025 www.drivesncontrols.com 20 Beckho ’s TwinCat CoAgent chatbot has access to specialised AI agents that provide targeted support for a variety of tasks.
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