Software Defined Automation | WMG
Software Defined Automation
An engineering platform, methods and technologies for reusable, connected and intelligent automation.
The Automation Systems Group (ASG) helps systems integrators, machine builders and manufacturers develop, deploy and operate automation systems faster, while reducing engineering effort, risk and cost.
We are looking for three organisations to work with us to explore how this approach could radically improve automation engineering and deployment. This short video explains the opportunity.
How we deliver value
Digital engineering helps you reduce engineering and commissioning costs, accelerate time to beneficial operation and minimise downtime. By identifying issues earlier, reducing technical and commercial risk, and connecting design, commissioning and operation, you can move from concept to production with greater confidence. Support for both traditional IEC 61131 and distributed IEC 61499 architectures gives you the flexibility to work with the control approach that best fits your system.
Design and validate digitally
- Build systems with reusable kinematic and sequence logic
- Validate designs early with Digital Twin simulation
Commission virtually
- Auto-generate PLC and controller software
- Test real control code against the Digital Twin
Deploy with confidence
- Transition seamlessly from virtual models to physical equipment
- Capture operational data for traceability, monitoring and optimisation
Gain deeper insight
- AI/LLM support from design to operation
- Diagnose issues and optimise performance faster
Discover Software Defined Automation
Software Defined Automation in action
We develop the methods, technologies and platforms that underpin Software Defined Automation (SDA), where software increasingly drives how automation systems are created, deployed and improved. Our work supports both commercial and open automation ecosystems, helping organisations build solutions that are more interoperable, portable and connected across operational technology (OT), information technology (IT) and AI. This enables automation systems to be adapted and evolved more easily throughout their lifecycle.
End-to-end demo environment
Our end-to-end demonstration environment is based on a rig that assembles and then disassembles a simple product consisting of a base, shaft and top cover. The rig incorporates sensors, actuators and robotic equipment, and can demonstrate either an IEC 61499 event-driven, distributed control architecture or a more traditional centralised, scan-based architecture implemented using IEC 61131-3. This allows both approaches to be demonstrated on the same physical system.
We apply AI across the lifecycle via our Machine Intelligence and Data Insights (MIDI) module.
The design phase asks MIDI for suggestions to reduce overall cycle time. MIDI recommends that the different parts of the process are decoupled. Our end-to-end demo implements this by introducing a clamp to hold the piece.
In the operational phase, MIDI diagnoses that the machine has stopped because the assembly station is waiting for a top cover.
Frequently asked questions
What is the focus of your SDA research?
We now have an end-to-end engineering platform which is proven in the lab, with many of its components already validated with industry partners.鈥� We now need industrial proofs of concept to demonstrate its ROI value to manufacturers and systems integrators/machine builders鈥痶hrough鈥痶he engineering and deployment of the complete lifecycle approach.
How relevant is your solution to deriving value from applying AI to manufacturing?
To make effective use of AI, there needs to be a coherent set of information about everything related to the manufacturing facility.鈥� Otherwise, the digital representation can diverge from physical reality, rapidly reducing the value of AI. Our solution has been designed from the outset around a Common Information Model, with which all tools and control devices integrate
Are you looking for鈥痗ollaborators from鈥痠ndustry?
Yes 鈥� manufacturers, systems integrators, and machine builders.鈥� Either to work with us directly or to collaborate on securing external funding (up to 70%) to de-risk and demonstrate the value of industrial implementations
Are you looking for academic and R&D鈥痗ollaborators?
Yes - we are interested in building a community both nationally and internationally鈥痯articipating in systems engineering for software-defined automation. We are interested in all forms of research collaborations related to future funding opportunities. This activity is also likely to include establishing some open source models, standards, and reuse libraries to enable a wide community to benefit from the approach and contribute to its growth.
How much of your solution is proprietary and how much is open source?
We intend to make the Common Information Model open source, to facilitate other organisations and software tool providers integrating their offerings to provide an even more comprehensive platform