Automate 2025: Schneider Electric introduces industrial copilot

Schneider Electric, a global provider of digital transformation for energy management and automation, will present its latest technologies in open, software-defined automation and advanced technologies at Automate 2025.

The company said it will demonstrate how it is enhancing the competitiveness and resilience of U.S. industry through state-of-the-art robotics, industrial AI and digitalization.

Automate is May 12-15 in Detroit’s Huntington Place. Schneider Electric is hosting live demonstrations and technology viewings at Booth 1832.

New industrial copilot, developed with Microsoft

At Automate, the company will introduce its industrial copilot, developed in collaboration with Microsoft. 

Schneider Electrric said the tool is designed to boost productivity and enhance workforce efficiency by integrating Microsoft Azure AI Foundry with Schneider Electric's advanced and secure industrial automation offerings.

Eliminating repetitive tasks, this Generative AI-powered assistant allows users to collaborate and supports the simplification of application development, delivering efficiency gains and bringing quality solutions to market faster.

"We are at a pivotal moment where industry must reimagine and redefine what is possible by leveraging the latest technologies, including AI, advanced robotics and software-defined automation," said Aamir Paul, president of North America operations at Schneider Electric. "To enhance US competitiveness and address the growing skills gap, the industrial workforce needs new tools. Our copilot, developed in collaboration with Microsoft, bridges this gap by simplifying processes and boosting worker confidence. It ensures that engineers and operators can leverage Schneider Electric's deep domain expertise to bring systems online faster and optimize them for long-term success."

Paul is also hosting the keynote address on Wednesday, May 14 at Automate. His presentation, Redefining industry: A bold new era for American manufacturing and the opportunities it creates for the American workforce, will take place in Huntington Place’s Grand Ballroom at 9 a.m.

Building on Schneider Electric's open, software-defined automation capabilities and utilizing the flexibility of EcoStruxure Automation Expert, the copilot will be available within Schneider's newly launched unified automation environment, EcoStruxure Automation Expert Platform.

The EcoStruxure Automation Expert Platform integrates across various hardware and software platforms, enhancing collaboration between copilots, operators and engineers by incorporating real-time data access, which is crucial for providing accurate recommendations, predictive maintenance and immediate troubleshooting. 

Visitors to Schneider Electric’s Automate booth will experience EcoStruxure Automation Expert at the heart of the digital factory campus, demonstrated through the lens of a brewery setup. They will witness how open, software-defined automation connects ecosystems to enhance daily operations, driving engineering and operational efficiency through its adaptable and modular design, enhancing supply chain resilience while reducing total cost of ownership.

More Schneider Electric demos at Automate

Other Schneider Electric offerings on display during Automate include:  

• Next generation motion system: 
  • The company said its newly launched Modicon M660 Industrial PC (IPC) motion controller and Modicon Edge I/O NTS, combined with advanced software, set a new benchmark in motion control. The Modicon Integrated Motion System leverages edge computing, AI and advanced control algorithms to redefine efficiency, enabling smarter decision-making and optimizing performance.
• Flexible and efficient robotics:
  • The Lexium line of industrial robots, from single-axis to high-performance multi-axis machines, enhances manufacturing flexibility and productivity. These robots integrate into unified control systems, enabling real-time synchronization, collaborative data flow, high-speed motion and precise positioning in manufacturing and logistics. The Lexium MC12 Multi Carrier system boosts flexibility by moving, positioning, or grouping objects, reducing changeover time and minimizing footprint. The Lexium cobot’s range, designed for human collaboration, has been extended with an 18kg payload version and a compact controller for easy integration into various setups. Schneider Electric said the new Lexium SCARA, an ultra-compact, high-speed robot for pick-and-place tasks, completes the Lexium robots’ family.
• Centralized real-time view of operations for better decision-making: 
  • AVEVA Enterprise Visualization provides a real-time overview of operations across dispersed assets, integrating data from multiple sources and software products into a tailored dashboard. Whether focusing on productivity levels, production quality, sustainability or maintenance project progress, it offers the data for informed decision-making with a centralized view of process operations.
• Toolless contactor: 
  • TeSys Deca Advanced transforms motor management with its SNAP IN technology. Engineered for resilience in harsh environments, this toolless contactor generates high levels of efficiency. Eliminating the need for tools and crimping, Schneider Electric said it offers connections that accelerate installation by up to 75% and enable precise, ready-to-robot wiring.