Moving Beyond Automation To Industrial Autonomy

Rockwell Automation Fair Event Brief

Axendia participated in The Rockwell Automation Fair, held in Anaheim, California. The event attracted over 11,000 attendees with 135 partner exhibitors and sponsors.

The conference showcased the newest developments in automation technology and their transformative impact across various industries. Blake Moret, Chairman and CEO of Rockwell Automation, delivered a keynote address that focused on the future of manufacturing, emphasizing the pivotal role of automation in industrial processes.

Blake Moret, Chairman and CEO,
Rockwell Automation

Key Themes resonating through this event included:

  • Industrial Autonomy 
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Resilience and Sustainability
  • Customer-Centric Approach
  • Edge-Cloud solutions
  • Implications for the Biopharma Industry

Industrial Autonomy

Rockwell’s approach is focused on driving the transition from industrial automation to industrial autonomy.  He highlighted the importance of integrating advanced technologies to create seamless systems that reduce risk and simplify automation implementation. This shift involves integrating advanced technologies to create systems that not only automate processes but also operate with a high degree of independence, reducing human intervention to minimal levels. “The goal is to develop systems that can self-monitor, self-regulate, and even self-repair, thereby reducing downtime and enhancing productivity. This transition is crucial to maintaining a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving industrial landscape,” Moret noted.

Tessa Myers, Senior VP, Intelligent Devices, Rockwell Automation

Tessa Myers, Senior Vice President, Intelligent Devices, added: “Industrial autonomy allows us to leverage advancements in machine learning and AI to create systems that are not just efficient, but also resilient and adaptive to changing conditions.”

Cyril Perducat, Chief technology officer of Rockwell Automation, highlighted the convergence of several key technologies including AI, integrated robotics, edge computing, and cloud solutions as the foundation for the future of industrial operations. However, “simply collecting data or deploying advanced tools is insufficient.” he warned.  “Data alone doesn’t solve problems. By balancing edge and cloud computing, we can process data locally when low latency is crucial, while leveraging the cloud for broader insights and scalability.”

Artificial Intelligence

Rockwell is including AI applications at various levels, such as vision AI processing techniques, Logix AI at the logic level, and Guardian AI at the software level.

Jordan Reynolds, Vice President, Artificial Intelligence & Autonomy, addressed the integration of AI into existing workflows, underscoring the importance of enhancing rather than replacing current systems. He highlighted how AI can be embedded at various levels of the manufacturing process, providing numerous benefits without the need for complete overhauls of existing systems. This approach minimizes risks and ensures a smoother transition to more advanced technologies.

“Our best opportunities for adding real value to AI is making it a part of existing workflows, not requiring ripping out existing processes because that’s just too risky,” commented Reynolds. 

Matt Weaver, Director, Industry Consultant Life Sciences at Rockwell, emphasized: “AI integration is not about disruption, but about enhancement. By embedding AI into our current systems, we can achieve greater efficiency and predictive capabilities without the risks associated with major overhauls.”

Resilience and Sustainability

Resilience and sustainability emerged as critical themes in the conference. The critical role of manufacturing in solving global challenges, such as ensuring access to food, clean water, and sustainable energy solutions. 

According to Moret: “Manufacturing plays a pivotal role in solving global challenges, and our focus on resilience and sustainability is at the core of our mission.”

Smriti Khera, Ph.D., Head of Global Life Sciences Strategy and Marketing, stated: “Our dedication to sustainability is about more than just reducing our environmental footprint. It’s about creating resilient systems that can adapt and thrive in the face of global challenges.”

Customer-Centric Approach

Moret discussed the importance of understanding customer needs and delivering positive business outcomes by combining technology and domain expertise. He explained that Rockwell Automation’s customer-centric approach involves working closely with customers to understand their specific challenges and needs and then developing tailored solutions that address them. “By deeply understanding our customers’ needs, we can deliver technology solutions that drive positive business outcomes,” said Moret.

This approach aims to provide solutions that are technologically advanced as well as practical and effective in addressing the real-world challenges faced by customers. Moret highlighted several case studies where Rockwell’s customer-centric approach had led to significant improvements in operational efficiency, product quality, and profitability for its clients.

Edge-Cloud Solutions

The balance between edge and cloud computing in manufacturing execution systems (MES) was another significant theme in Moret’s address. He highlighted how this hybrid approach leverages real-time processing at the edge for low latency and high reliability while using the cloud for scalability and broader insights.

Edge computing involves processing data close to the source, such as on production lines or in manufacturing facilities. This approach reduces latency, as data does not need to be transmitted to a central server or cloud for processing. It also enhances reliability, as edge devices can continue to operate even if the connection to the cloud is lost.

Cloud computing, on the other hand, provides the scalability and computational power needed to analyze large volumes of data and generate comprehensive insights. By combining edge and cloud computing, manufacturers can achieve the best of both worlds, with real-time processing at the edge and advanced analytics in the cloud.

“Balancing edge and cloud computing in our MES approach allows us to provide real-time processing and scalability, ensuring high reliability and comprehensive insights,” said Moret.

Additional benefits of this hybrid approach include improved decision-making, enhanced operational efficiency, and reduced costs. Moret provided examples of how Rockwell Automation uses this approach to optimize manufacturing processes, monitor equipment health, and ensure product quality.

According to Perducat, “A key challenge is creating systems that are both flexible and optimized for different needs. He discussed Rockwell Automation’s commitment to open standards and interoperability, ensuring customers can seamlessly integrate new technologies. “We want a world where customers choose our technology because it’s the right fit, not because they’re locked into a specific system,” he added.

Implications for the Biopharma Industry

During his Keynote address, Moret highlighted that “The pharmaceutical industry faces unique challenges, such as stringent regulatory requirements, complex production processes, and the need for high product quality.”

To understand the implications on our industry, we took a deep dive into these trends with Smriti Khera, Ph.D., Head of Global Life Sciences Strategy and Marketing, and Matt Weaver, Director, Industry Consultant Life Sciences at Rockwell   We cover how integrating these technologies into existing processes can enhance various aspects of Biopharmaceutical manufacturing, such as improving quality control, optimizing production processes, and ensuring regulatory compliance. By leveraging advanced automation technologies, Biopharmaceutical companies can achieve greater efficiency, reduce waste, and maintain high product quality standards.

Technology Transfer and Automation

Technology transfer is a critical aspect of biopharmaceutical innovation, facilitating the transition from research and development to large-scale production. Seamless technology transfer enhances product consistency, reduces time to market, and ensures regulatory compliance.

Weaver added, “Automation is revolutionizing the way we approach drug development and manufacturing. By integrating advanced technologies, we can streamline processes, reduce errors, and accelerate time-to-market. This not only enhances efficiency but also improves the overall quality and reliability of the products we bring to market, ultimately benefiting patients worldwide.”

Bioprocess Development and Process Optimization

Bioprocess development involves optimizing the processes used to produce biopharmaceuticals. Automation is pivotal in enhancing bioprocess efficiency, ensuring consistent product quality, and reducing production costs. Khera explained, “At the bench, what simulation can help with is drastically reducing the number of process experiments, that are required to scale-up, and understand process parameters and critical quality attributes (CQAs).  A significant reduction in experimental workload allows scientists to focus on more critical tasks and accelerate the development process. Furthermore, automation allows us to improve process efficiency and ensure consistent quality in drug production. It minimizes human error and enhances repeatability, which are crucial factors in meeting stringent regulatory requirements.”

Weaver echoed these sentiments: “Data-driven insights are crucial for optimizing operations and identifying growth opportunities. By leveraging big data and advanced analytics, we can gain a deeper understanding of our processes and make more informed decisions. This not only enhances efficiency but also enables us to stay ahead of the competition and adapt to changing market conditions swiftly.”

Flexible Scale Manufacturing and Onshoring

The trend towards flexible-scale manufacturing and Smart-Sourcing has been accelerated by global events, particularly the COVID-19 pandemic. Khera discussed the simultaneous onshoring and agile manufacturing trend driven by supply chain disruptions highlighted during the pandemic, the possible impact of the Biosecure Act, and the advent of precision medicines which require a global supply targeted at smaller patient populations. These market forces have spurred significant demand for agile, new and expanded manufacturing capacities. “Our partners at Cytiva have completely integrated and built their scalable Figurate automation platform on Plant-PAx. The Cytiva Xcellerex X-Platform bioreactor on display at the show floor, seamlessly scales from 50 L to 2000 L using a flexible, scalable automation platform and UI. OEM partners like Cytiva are central to our commitment to greater flexibility and scalability in manufacturing, ensuring our biopharma and contract manufacturing customers can build agile manufacturing that can quickly respond to fluctuations in demand and help maintain a robust supply chain.”

Weaver noted, “The pandemic has underscored the necessity of automation in maintaining operational continuity and resilience. Organizations have had to rethink their business models to incorporate robust automated solutions that can withstand disruptions and ensure a steady supply of critical products. Automation has proven to be a game-changer in this regard, enabling us to adapt swiftly and maintain operational stability even in the face of unprecedented challenges.”

Workforce Empowerment and Collaboration

Empowering the workforce through training and collaboration is crucial for maximizing the benefits of automation. A well-trained workforce is vital for leveraging automated systems effectively and driving innovation. Khera highlighted, “FactoryTalk DataMosaix provides for the structuring and contextualizing of unstructured data from shop floor equipment and sensors to generate actionable insights. This capability is transforming the way we approach data analysis and decision-making. Moreover, the significance of collaboration and knowledge-sharing in driving progress cannot be overstated. We are witnessing a paradigm shift where automation and interdisciplinary approaches are becoming the norm, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.”

According to Khera, “Rockwell is very well situated to capture some of the new capacity opportunities that are emerging in the market. Our preparedness to support large-scale drug production and operational efficiencies positions us advantageously for future growth. The key to our success will be our ability to innovate and collaborate effectively.”

“While the road ahead for the Life Sciences industry presents new paradigms, opportunities and challenges, I believe here at Rockwell Automation, we have the tools and the talent to succeed. The advancements in automation technology, combined with our skilled workforce, provide us with the necessary capabilities to overcome any challenges we may encounter. Our collective efforts in automation and innovation will pave the way for future successes,” added Weaver.

Overcoming Challenges with Innovative Solutions

This year, I had the pleasure of kicking off the Life Science Industry track at Rockwell Automation Fair by moderating a fireside chat featuring insights from Jim Heckmanski, Associate Director Global Engineering – Automation, AstraZeneca and Christopher Sandusky, Director, Automation Solutions Product & Lifecycle Management, Cytiva.

During the session, we discussed the importance of improving agility, efficiency and flexibility as Life Sciences companies face unprecedented price pressures. We provided ways to overcome these challenges by accelerating the adoption of innovative solutions to enhance product quality, meet global product demand, comply with evolving regulatory requirements and adopt new modalities to support personalized medicine. 

The room was packed, and the response was incredibly positive! We are grateful to everyone who attended and contributed to the discussions! 

In Brief

Automation Fair demonstrated Rockwell’s commitment to advancing technology and its applications across various industries, including the Biopharmaceutical sector. The insights shared by Rockwell executives highlight the transformative potential of AI, industrial autonomy, and the edge-cloud approach in driving innovation and efficiency in biopharma manufacturing.

Rockwell Automation Fair provided us with valuable insights into the current state and future prospects of automation in the biopharmaceutical industry. Their observations on adaptability, collaboration, data analytics, process optimization, and digital transformation offered valuable takeaways for businesses aiming to thrive in an ever-changing environment. The informative nature of the conversations underscored the importance of knowledge-sharing and collective intelligence in navigating complex challenges and seizing growth opportunities. 

We will continue to provide updates on Rockwell Automation as they become available.


Discover how Axendia can help your organization thrive in the ever-evolving Life Sciences landscape. By leveraging our strategic insights and trusted advice, we empower you to overcome disruptions, adopt innovative solutions, and navigate complex regulatory and technological challenges.

Ready to unlock new opportunities and drive success? Schedule an Analyst Inquiry today to explore how the latest advancements in automation, AI, and industrial autonomy can transform your business.

Visit Axendia.com or follow us on LinkedIn for more insights and updates. Together, we’ll prepare your organization for a future of resilience, adaptability, and growth.

The opinions and analysis expressed in this post reflect the judgment of Axendia at the time of publication and are subject to change without notice. Information contained in this post is current as of publication date. Information cited is not warranted by Axendia but has been obtained through a valid research methodology. This post is not intended to endorse any company or product and should not be attributed as such.

Scroll to Top
Share via
Copy link