UniversalAutomation.Org (UAO) welcomed ExxonMobil as a member on Apr. 27. The company is using the IEC 61499 runtime platform/environment as part of its Open Process Automation (OPA) test bed after previously deploying the runtime in a successful prototype at an ExxonMobil pilot plant. This collaboration between ExxonMobil and UAO members is expected to enable further development of an ecosystem of portable, interoperable, plug-and-produce solutions, and create a new industrial automation category for process applications. UAO is an independent, not-for-profit association managing a reference implementation of an industrial automation, shared-source IEC 61499 standard runtime.
“We're pleased to join UniversialAutomation.Org and collaborate with other member companies on a software-driven approach to building an automation system,” says Ryan Smeltzer, OPA program manager for ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Co. “IEC 61499 standard runtime allows ExxonMobil to continue to innovate and drive open process automation. We can now use best-in-class components sourced from different suppliers without the constraints of custom integration, increasing manufacturing operations efficiency through portability of applications.”
John Conway, president of UAO, adds, “We're delighted to welcome ExxonMobil as a member, as more and more market-leading organizations seek to empower their talent with access to the latest industrial automation technologies and solutions. UniversalAutomation.Org provides the basis for portable automation software components that can run on any universal automation-compliant hardware, creating an entirely vendor-agnostic ecosystem for automation software development. By facilitating the integration of real-time operational technology (OT) with right-time information technology (IT), we help our member organizations unleash the full potential of Industry 4.0.”
ExxonMobil joins present UAO members, including Aalto University, Actemium, Advantech, Asus, Belden, Cargill, Dynamic Process, eaw Relaistechnik GmbH, ESA, ETP, Flexbridge, gr3n, Hirschmann, HTW Berlin, Intel, Jetter, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Kongsberg Maritime, Luleå Technological University, Lumberg Automation, Phoenix Contact, ProSoft, R. Stahl, Schneider Electric, Shell, Wilo, Wood and Yokogawa.
