UAO Goes Live: The Future of Automation

In this first episode of UAO Goes Live, we explore how UniversalAutomation.org is transforming industrial automation by decoupling software from hardware through the IEC 61499 standard. Discover why this approach is considered a game-changer for the industry, enabling portability, interoperability, and innovation.Greg Boucaud, Chief Marketing Officer at UniversalAutomation.org, explains how this open technology empowers vendors and end-users to break free from vendor lock-in, accelerate time-to-market, and embrace new business models. Learn how Universal Automation fosters collaboration between IT and OT, supports greenfield and brownfield applications, and creates an ecosystem similar to an “industrial automation app store.”Whether you are an automation engineer, system integrator, or technology leader, this episode provides valuable insights into the future of automation, open standards, and the next generation of industrial control systems.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode of UAO Goes Live, we explore how UniversalAutomation.org and the IEC 61499 standard are enabling groundbreaking innovation in industrial automation. Our guest, Renato Pacheco, founder of Brazilian startup Aimirim, shares real-world projects that demonstrate how open automation technology is transforming industries through portability, interoperability, and flexibility.Discover how Aimirim leverages UniversalAutomation.org’s shared runtime execution engine to build software-defined facilities, integrate IT and OT, and deliver data-driven automation platforms. From advanced process control and real-time optimization to digital twins, machine learning, and generative AI, Aimirim is proving that startups can compete with global players by embracing open standards.Key highlights include:✅ How IEC 61499 enables plug-and-produce automation and hardware independence✅ Real-world use cases in greenfield and brownfield projects✅ Building scalable industrial SaaS platforms for Industry 4.0About UniversalAutomation.org (UAO)UniversalAutomation.org (UAO) is an independent non-profit organization dedicated to transforming industrial automation through open standards and shared source technology. The association manages the reference implementation of a shared runtime execution engine based on the IEC 61499 standard, enabling true interoperability between hardware from multiple vendors and portability of automation software applications.By providing a ready-to-use, vendor-neutral runtime environment, UniversalAutomation.org empowers companies to build flexible Industry 4.0 architectures, accelerate digital transformation, and maximize return on investment (ROI) through software reusability and hardware independence.The development of this runtime is governed by shared source principles, ensuring long-term compatibility and collaborative innovation. Members—including end users, OEMs, system integrators, and technology vendors—work collectively to create a global ecosystem for plug-and-produce automation solutions.UniversalAutomation.org is growing rapidly as more organizations adopt open automation to overcome vendor lock-in, enable IT/OT convergence, and support greenfield and brownfield projects. Academic institutions are also leveraging this technology to train the next generation of automation engineers.Companies and institutions that want to lead the future of industrial automation, develop next-generation control systems, and participate in a global open automation community are invited to join UniversalAutomation.org.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode of UAO Goes Live, discover how Platinum Electrical Engineering uses IEC 61499 and UniversalAutomation.org to deliver a modular, scalable automation system for carbon capture in Morocco. This innovative project integrates open automation, edge computing, and cloud analytics to enable autonomous algae growth that locks carbon for over 1,000 years. Learn how portability, interoperability, and hardware independence accelerate sustainability initiatives and future-proof industrial automation.About UniversalAutomation.org (UAO)UniversalAutomation.org (UAO) is an independent non-profit organization dedicated to transforming industrial automation through open standards and shared source technology. The association manages the reference implementation of a shared runtime execution engine based on the IEC 61499 standard, enabling true interoperability between hardware from multiple vendors and portability of automation software applications.By providing a ready-to-use, vendor-neutral runtime environment, UniversalAutomation.org empowers companies to build flexible Industry 4.0 architectures, accelerate digital transformation, and maximize return on investment (ROI) through software reusability and hardware independence.The development of this runtime is governed by shared source principles, ensuring long-term compatibility and collaborative innovation. Members—including end users, OEMs, system integrators, and technology vendors—work collectively to create a global ecosystem for plug-and-produce automation solutions.UniversalAutomation.org is growing rapidly as more organizations adopt open automation to overcome vendor lock-in, enable IT/OT convergence, and support greenfield and brownfield projects. Academic institutions are also leveraging this technology to train the next generation of automation engineers.Companies and institutions that want to lead the future of industrial automation, develop next-generation control systems, and participate in a global open automation community are invited to join UniversalAutomation.org.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode of UAO Goes Live, discover how TriSystems Engineering leverages IEC 61499 and UniversalAutomation.org to modernize offshore oil and gas platforms in Southeast Asia. Learn how open automation enables hardware independence, portability, and interoperability, helping overcome obsolescence challenges and extend system lifespan. This real-world use case demonstrates how plug-and-produce architectures, low-power edge computing, and OPC UA connectivity deliver flexibility and resilience for remote operations.About UniversalAutomation.org (UAO)UniversalAutomation.org (UAO) is an independent non-profit organization dedicated to transforming industrial automation through open standards and shared source technology. The association manages the reference implementation of a shared runtime execution engine based on the IEC 61499 standard, enabling true interoperability between hardware from multiple vendors and portability of automation software applications.By providing a ready-to-use, vendor-neutral runtime environment, UniversalAutomation.org empowers companies to build flexible Industry 4.0 architectures, accelerate digital transformation, and maximize return on investment (ROI) through software reusability and hardware independence.The development of this runtime is governed by shared source principles, ensuring long-term compatibility and collaborative innovation. Members—including end users, OEMs, system integrators, and technology vendors—work collectively to create a global ecosystem for plug-and-produce automation solutions.UniversalAutomation.org is growing rapidly as more organizations adopt open automation to overcome vendor lock-in, enable IT/OT convergence, and support greenfield and brownfield projects. Academic institutions are also leveraging this technology to train the next generation of automation engineers.Companies and institutions that want to lead the future of industrial automation, develop next-generation control systems, and participate in a global open automation community are invited to join UniversalAutomation.org.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode of UAO Goes Live, join a panel of experts from Shell, GR3N, R. Stahl, and Schneider Electric as they explore the transformative benefits of UniversalAutomation.org and IEC 61499 beyond reducing total cost of ownership. Discover how open automation enables hardware independence, portability, and interoperability, while driving innovation, resilience, and sustainability. Learn why decoupling hardware and software is key to future-proofing industrial automation and how it impacts commissioning, migration strategies, and new business models.About UniversalAutomation.org (UAO)UniversalAutomation.org (UAO) is an independent non-profit organization dedicated to transforming industrial automation through open standards and shared source technology. The association manages the reference implementation of a shared runtime execution engine based on the IEC 61499 standard, enabling true interoperability between hardware from multiple vendors and portability of automation software applications.By providing a ready-to-use, vendor-neutral runtime environment, UniversalAutomation.org empowers companies to build flexible Industry 4.0 architectures, accelerate digital transformation, and maximize return on investment (ROI) through software reusability and hardware independence.The development of this runtime is governed by shared source principles, ensuring long-term compatibility and collaborative innovation. Members—including end users, OEMs, system integrators, and technology vendors—work collectively to create a global ecosystem for plug-and-produce automation solutions.UniversalAutomation.org is growing rapidly as more organizations adopt open automation to overcome vendor lock-in, enable IT/OT convergence, and support greenfield and brownfield projects. Academic institutions are also leveraging this technology to train the next generation of automation engineers.Companies and institutions that want to lead the future of industrial automation, develop next-generation control systems, and participate in a global open automation community are invited to join UniversalAutomation.org.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode of UAO Goes Live, we speak with André Fritsch from R. STAHL, one of the founding members of UniversalAutomation.org, about how open automation and IEC 61499 are driving innovation in hazardous area solutions. Discover why R. STAHL adopted the UAO runtime for its flagship Remote I/O system, enabling hardware independence, interoperability, and simplified engineering for Zone 1 installations. Learn how this approach accelerates time-to-market, reduces complexity, and creates new possibilities for distributed control and local data handling in process industries.About UniversalAutomation.org (UAO)UniversalAutomation.org (UAO) is an independent non-profit organization dedicated to transforming industrial automation through open standards and shared source technology. The association manages the reference implementation of a shared runtime execution engine based on the IEC 61499 standard, enabling true interoperability between hardware from multiple vendors and portability of automation software applications.By providing a ready-to-use, vendor-neutral runtime environment, UniversalAutomation.org empowers companies to build flexible Industry 4.0 architectures, accelerate digital transformation, and maximize return on investment (ROI) through software reusability and hardware independence.The development of this runtime is governed by shared source principles, ensuring long-term compatibility and collaborative innovation. Members—including end users, OEMs, system integrators, and technology vendors—work collectively to create a global ecosystem for plug-and-produce automation solutions.UniversalAutomation.org is growing rapidly as more organizations adopt open automation to overcome vendor lock-in, enable IT/OT convergence, and support greenfield and brownfield projects. Academic institutions are also leveraging this technology to train the next generation of automation engineers.Companies and institutions that want to lead the future of industrial automation, develop next-generation control systems, and participate in a global open automation community are invited to join UniversalAutomation.org.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.