Photo: Fernando Colás, Chief Executive Officer ·Omron Industrial Automation Europe. According to the SINIC theory of OMRON, we are now moving from the optimization society to the autonomous society. The theory, created in 1970 by the founder of OMRON Kazuma Tateishi, predicts future social and technological advances to guide innovation. In the optimization phase, the focus has been on
in improving processes, increasing efficiency and using technology to optimize operations. But the autonomous society is a whole new era, one in which systems not only operate efficiently, but are also self-regulating, self-learning and capable of making decisions.
in an independent way.
OMRON identifies five key trends that will shape the future of industrial automation in the coming years.
Trend #1: Smarter maintenance and data-driven automation
One of the most revolutionary trends in the industry is smart or predictive maintenance, which is achieved through data-driven automation. This shift makes it possible to proactively respond to equipment wear, reducing downtime and improving overall operational efficiency.
Data-driven automation is not just about predicting what will go wrong, but also about using that data to optimize production processes. OMRON’s “Sensing & Control + Think” technology combines advanced sensors, control technologies and data analysis to enable systems to learn from their environment and make adjustments that autonomously improve efficiency and productivity. It is the cornerstone of the shift to autonomous production, where real-time data from sensors and machines drives decision-making.
Trend #2: Adaptive systems for smart manufacturing
As production environments become more complex and diverse, traditional control systems are no longer sufficient. Adaptive systems are required that can respond dynamically to changing conditions. OMRON has already developed AI-based control systems that integrate real-time data to adjust machine parameters on the fly, thereby improving production quality and consistency.
In precision-critical industries such as semiconductor manufacturing, OMRON’s high-resolution inspection systems can detect micro-level defects in real time. This is the case with the VT-X950 with advanced X-ray and CT scanning. This enables manufacturers to correct errors immediately, significantly improving throughput and reducing waste. These adaptive systems are the future of quality control in production, where machines are continuously monitored and adjusted for optimal performance.
Trend #3: Co-creation as a driver of innovation
Co-creation with partners, customers and academic institutions is key to innovation in industrial automation. This approach fosters innovation within the company's own ecosystem, reinforced by the knowledge and capabilities of external partners. It also enables
OMRON aims to improve both products and social solutions in general, and is not limited to the usual business collaboration concept. OMRON's reach extends to initiatives such as the “Health & Productivity Management Alliance”, which brings together several companies to address important challenges.
healthcare professionals and create data-driven solutions.
Co-creation drives faster technological development and ensures that developed solutions are closely aligned with market and societal needs. For example, next-generation technologies accelerate innovation in materials by
prediction of the properties of new materials based on their molecular structures.
Trend #4: Energy efficiency through smarter product and component design
Industry is facing increasing pressure to reduce its environmental footprint. Traditional silicon power supplies have long dominated industrial systems. The problem is their efficiency and size limitations.
OMRON’s investment in GaN (gallium nitride) technology addresses these challenges by providing high-performance power conversion with minimal energy loss. GaN devices enable greater power handling capabilities in a much smaller space, resulting in miniature components that require less power to operate and reduce heat generation. This is particularly interesting for industries such as automotive manufacturing, where lighter, more energy-efficient components are essential for the production of electric vehicles (EVs).
Trend #5: Ethical AI and transparent decision-making
As AI becomes increasingly integrated into industrial systems, ethical questions around its use are becoming more important. In the manufacturing sector, this means creating systems where AI-based decisions can be audited and understood, ensuring that decisions are made correctly.
companies maintain control over their operations and benefit from the efficiency that AI brings.
Ethical AI is expected to play an increasingly important role as factories become more autonomous. Transparency in AI decision-making will be critical to maintaining trust between companies, employees and stakeholders.
Predictive maintenance, adaptive control, and co-creation are realities that are redefining today’s production. With each innovation, from real-time data analysis to advanced materials science, we are not only improving processes, we are helping systems to think, learn, and act on their own.
