---
title: Bosch Rexroth adopts Ubuntu Core and snaps for app-based ctrlX AUTOMATION platform
description: 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 co […]
url: https://canonical.com/blog/bosch-rexroth-adopts-ubuntu-core-and-snaps-for-app-based-ctrlx-automation-platform?format=md
---

1. [Blog](https://canonical.com/blog)
2. Article

---

[Canonical](https://canonical.com/blog/author/canonical "More about Canonical")

19 February 2020

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

[bosch](https://canonical.com/blog/tag/bosch)
[Embedded Devices](https://canonical.com/blog/tag/embedded-devices)
[IoT](https://canonical.com/blog/tag/iot)
[Snaps](https://canonical.com/blog/tag/snaps)
[Ubuntu Core](https://canonical.com/blog/tag/ubuntu-core)

---

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**19th
February 2020** – Canonical today
announced that [Bosch
Rexroth](https://www.boschrexroth.com/en/xc/) has
selected Ubuntu Core for their app-based platform [ctrlX
AUTOMATION](https://apps.boschrexroth.com/microsites/ctrlx-automation/en/).
ctrlX AUTOMATION leverages [Ubuntu
Core](https://ubuntu.com/core),
designed for embedded devices, and [snaps](https://snapcraft.io/),
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](http://www.boschrexroth.com/)

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