From optimisation to autonomy: Top five manufacturing automation trends for 2025 (Part 1)
Author : Fernando Colás, OMRON Industrial Automation Europe
17 January 2025
As we step into 2025, the world of industrial automation is approaching a new chapter. According to OMRON's SINIC Theory, which ties technological advances to societal change, we’re now moving from the Optimisation Society to the Autonomous Society.
The theory, created in 1970 by OMRON’s founder Kazuma Tateishi, predicts future societal and technological developments to guide innovation. In the Optimisation phase, the focus has been on refining processes, boosting efficiency, and using technology to improve operations. But the Autonomous Society is a whole new era – one where systems don’t just run efficiently; they become self-regulating, self-learning, and capable of independent decision-making.
Below, we explore some key trends that OMRON believes will shape the future of industrial automation in the coming years.
Trend #1: Smarter maintenance and data-driven automation
One of the most transformative trends for the industry is smart or predictive maintenance, enabled by data-driven automation. This shift allows for proactive responses to equipment wear and tear, reducing downtime and enhancing overall operational efficiency.
Fernando Colás, CEO, OMRON Industrial Automation Europe
Data-driven automation is not only about identifying when something will go wrong but also using that data to optimise production processes. In OMRON’s vision, ‘Sensing & Control + Think’ brings together advanced sensors, control technologies, and data analytics to enable systems that can learn from their environment, making adjustments to improve efficiency and productivity autonomously. This technology is a cornerstone of the shift to autonomous production, where real-time data from sensors and machines drive decision-making.
Trend #2: Adaptive systems for smart manufacturing
As manufacturing environments become more complex and diversified, traditional control systems are no longer sufficient. Smart manufacturing environments demand adaptive control systems that can respond dynamically to changing conditions. OMRON has already developed AI-driven control systems that integrate real-time data to adjust machine parameters dynamically, improving production quality and consistency.
In sectors such as semiconductor manufacturing, where precision is critical, OMRON’s high-resolution inspection systems, such as the VT-X950 with advanced X-ray and CT scanning, can detect defects at the micro-level in real-time. This enables manufacturers to immediately correct errors, significantly improving yield and reducing waste. These adaptive systems represent the future of quality control in manufacturing, where machines continuously monitor and adjust themselves for optimal performance.
Trend #3: Co-creation as a driver of innovation
Co-creation with partners, customers and academic institutions is a key driver of innovation in industrial automation. This approach both cultivates innovation within a company's own ecosystem, and also pools insights and capabilities from external partners. Collaboration with external partners and other business units allows for the creation of services that enhance both our products and broader societal solutions. This is not limited to typical business collaborations; OMRON's reach, for example, extends to efforts like the 'Health & Productivity Management Alliance', where various companies, including OMRON, come together to address significant healthcare challenges and create data-driven solutions.
Co-creation drives faster technological development and ensures that the solutions developed are closely aligned with the needs of the market and society. For example, next-generation technologies accelerate material innovation by predicting the properties of new materials based on their molecular structures. Through collaborations with research institutions and universities, OMRON, for instance, is creating new opportunities for innovation that would be impossible within the confines of a single organisation.
See separate article for OMRON Industrial Automation Europe's remaining industrial automation trends for 2025.
Contact Details and Archive...