UniversalAutomation.Org Strengthens Global Open Automation Network
UniversalAutomation.Org (UAO), a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing open and software-defined industrial automation, has expanded its ecosystem with the addition of Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) and Clemson University.
With these two new members, UAO now represents more than 110 organizations from industry and academia. This milestone reflects the increasing global demand for automation architectures that are flexible, hardware-independent, and capable of supporting next-generation industrial digitalization.
The participation of HPE and Clemson University is particularly significant because it connects industrial automation with two important areas: advanced IT infrastructure and academic research. This combination could accelerate the transition from traditional automation platforms toward open, software-centric industrial environments.
HPE Brings IT Infrastructure and Digital Transformation Expertise
HPE’s membership expands UAO’s presence in areas such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence, networking infrastructure, and enterprise-level digital transformation.
Modern factories are no longer isolated automation environments. Industrial operations increasingly rely on seamless communication between operational technology (OT) systems and information technology (IT) platforms. HPE’s involvement supports UAO’s vision of creating stronger connections between industrial control systems, edge computing platforms, and digital services.
From an engineering perspective, this collaboration represents an important industry trend. Future automation systems will require not only reliable controllers and field devices but also scalable software architectures capable of managing data, analytics, cybersecurity, and lifecycle management.
Clemson University Joins as First U.S. Academic Member
Clemson University becomes the first academic institution in the United States to join UniversalAutomation.Org.
The university plans to leverage the partnership to enhance research, education, and collaboration in smart manufacturing technologies. Through this cooperation, students and researchers will gain access to vendor-neutral automation concepts based on the IEC 61499 standard.
Academic participation is critical for the development of open automation. Unlike traditional automation education, which is often tied to specific vendor ecosystems, IEC 61499-based approaches encourage students to understand automation principles, software portability, and distributed control architectures.
This approach may help prepare the next generation of engineers for a manufacturing environment where interoperability and software skills become as important as traditional control engineering knowledge.
Open Automation and IEC 61499 Drive a New Industrial Architecture
At the center of UAO’s strategy is the development of an open automation layer for operational technology components, managed through a concept known as “Guarded Source.”
Unlike traditional automation models where hardware and software are closely coupled, UAO promotes a separation between automation applications and the underlying hardware platforms. This architecture allows applications to be reused across different vendor systems while supporting independent updates of software and hardware components.
Based on IEC 61499, this model aims to improve portability, simplify system migration, and reduce dependency on individual automation suppliers.
For industrial users, the potential benefit is significant: factories could upgrade automation functions without replacing entire control infrastructures, reducing engineering effort and improving long-term asset flexibility.
The Growing Importance of Software-Defined Automation
The expansion of UAO’s membership demonstrates a broader transformation taking place across the industrial sector. Automation is moving from proprietary hardware-driven systems toward software-defined platforms that resemble modern IT architectures.
Industrial companies increasingly require automation solutions that support:
- Multi-vendor interoperability
- Cloud and edge integration
- Artificial intelligence applications
- Flexible production models
- Long-term system scalability
Software-defined automation could become a key foundation for future smart factories, especially as manufacturers face challenges related to production flexibility, workforce shortages, and rapid technology changes.
Engineering Perspective: Open Automation Will Reshape Industrial Control
The addition of HPE and Clemson University is more than a simple membership expansion; it represents a convergence of industrial technology, research capability, and digital infrastructure.
From an automation engineering viewpoint, the industry is entering a transition period where the value of a control system will no longer depend only on hardware performance. Instead, software flexibility, interoperability, cybersecurity, and lifecycle adaptability will become decisive factors.
UniversalAutomation.Org’s growing ecosystem indicates that open automation is gaining momentum. While traditional automation platforms will continue to play an important role, future industrial systems are likely to combine proven control technologies with open software architectures, creating more adaptable and sustainable manufacturing environments.
