According to the announcement, the common goal of both companies is to offer an open and future-proof ecosystem for industrial automation. In this context, Phoenix Contact has licensed its PLCnext runtime environment to Yaskawa and agrees to future joint developments. Yaskawa will use PLCnext technology to further expand and develop its range of machine controllers.

PLCnext Technology is the open ecosystem for industrial automation from Phoenix Contact. With the combination of open control technology, modular engineering software and online community, this solution enables simple adaptation to changing requirements and efficient use of existing and new software applications.

"I am delighted that we are further intensifying our long-standing, trusting business relationship and expanding our partnership in the field of industrial control technology," emphasizes Bruno Schnekenburger, CEO & President of Yaskawa Europe.

Ulrich Leidecker, President Business Area Industrial Management and Automation (IMA) at Phoenix Contact, adds: "The openness of the PLCnext ecosystem enables highly flexible, safe and modern automation technology. The technology partnership with Yaskawa is a milestone for the automation industry, because the more partners operate in an open automation ecosystem, the more valuable and powerful it becomes for each individual participant."

"Bringing PLCnext Technology together with Yaskawa's proven motion control engine and robust controller hardware creates a control platform that is open, flexible and powerful, based on the proven PLCopen toolbox solutions for logic control, machine control and control of delta and articulated arm robots," said John Payne, Senior Vice President Motion at Yaskawa America. "The new Yaskawa platform will combine controllers for logic, machine control and robotics with solutions for Industry 4.0 applications. It will also expand Yaskawa's control technology offering with solutions for network security and control system safety." as