Bosch Rexroth adopts Ubuntu Core and snaps for app-based ctrlX AUTOMATION platform

19th February 2020 – Canonical today announced that Bosch Rexroth has selected Ubuntu Core for their app-based platform ctrlX AUTOMATION. ctrlX AUTOMATION leverages Ubuntu Core, designed for embedded devices, and snaps, the universal Linux application containers, to deliver an open source platform to remove the barriers between machine control, IT and OT. Industrial manufacturing solutions built on ctrlX AUTOMATION with Ubuntu Core and snaps will benefit from an open ecosystem, faster time to production and stronger security across devices’ lifecycle.

Through the use of an open architecture, industrial machine manufacturers selecting ctrlX AUTOMATION are freed from being tied to PLC specialists and proprietary systems with the software being decoupled from the hardware. With Ubuntu Core and snaps, the ctrlX AUTOMATION platform enables developers to use a modern CI/CD and DevSecOps approach to deliver applications on edge devices in a traditional OT environment.

“With the support of Ubuntu Core, ctrlX AUTOMATION can combine the worlds of automation and IoT in an open, modular and secure way to build a future proofed and innovative automation platform,” said Dr. Holger Schnabel, Product Owner ctrlX CORE, Bosch Rexroth.

Ubuntu Core enhances security with strict application confinement. ctrlX AUTOMATION apps run with all dependencies in their snaps for increased isolation. The risk of security vulnerabilities is minimised as the software files packaged in snaps are unalterable. Machine manufacturers deploying apps benefit from automated updates for security fixes and patches for the lifetime of the device, without the need for engineers to intervene. With Ubuntu Core and snaps, software updates roll back to the last known working version to increase uptime and reliability on the factory floor.

“Bosch Rexroth has embraced an open source approach to industrial automation enabling machine manufacturers to build a scalable and customisable platform. ctrlX AUTOMATION provides a software driven approach enabling users to extend functionality and implement their own apps. The advanced interfaces offered by ctrlX AUTOMATION, combined with the openness and flexibility of Ubuntu Core will open a new era of innovation in industrial automation,” said Loïc Minier, Global Director, IoT Devices Field Engineering at Canonical.

Developers can create apps, delivered as snaps, in the programming language of their choice, including C, C++, Python, Javascript or Go. Traditionally, developers were restricted to specialist programming languages like IEC 61131, or G-Code in an industrial setting. With Ubuntu Core and snaps, developers using the ctrlX AUTOMATION platform have the freedom to use either conventional programming languages or modern alternatives.

About Canonical

Canonical is the publisher of Ubuntu, the OS for most public cloud workloads as well as the emerging categories of smart gateways, self-driving cars and advanced robots. Canonical provides enterprise security, support and services to commercial users of Ubuntu. Established in 2004, Canonical is a privately held company.

About Rexroth

As one of the world’s leading suppliers of drive and control technologies, Bosch Rexroth ensures efficient, powerful and safe movement in machines and systems of any size. The company bundles global application experience in the market segments of Mobile Applications, Machinery Applications and Engineering, and Factory Automation. With its intelligent components, customised system solutions and services, Bosch Rexroth is creating the necessary environment for fully connected applications. Bosch Rexroth offers its customers hydraulics, electric drive and control technology, gear technology and linear motion and assembly technology, including software and interfaces to the Internet of Things. With locations in over 80 countries, more than 32,300 associates generated sales revenue of roughly 6.2 billion euros in 2018.

To learn more, please visit www.boschrexroth.com