Industrial Production: Mr. Winkler, which technologies are the focus at Bosch Rexroth?

Steffen Winkler: The automation system "ctrlX AUTOMATION" and the underlying operating system "ctrlX OS" with its comprehensive ecosystem are at the heart of our trade fair presence. Both stand for openness, connectivity and safety in automation.

With ctrlX OS, we show how IT and OT are becoming increasingly interlinked. The system runs independently of hardware - from the field level to the cloud - and enables end-to-end communication, analysis and management. A particular highlight is the virtualization of ctrlX OS: in future, users will be able to operate their software with complete flexibility wherever it provides the greatest benefit - whether directly on the machine, at the edge or centrally in the data center.

We are also expanding our portfolio to include AI-supported functions at all performance levels: from control and motion components to vision applications. With the new Safety PLC app, we are also taking a big step towards software-based safety, without any additional hardware.

Which industry trend is currently the most relevant for your company?

We are currently experiencing what is probably the biggest technological change in decades: Automation is becoming software-driven and virtualized. While productivity used to be achieved primarily through more powerful hardware, the impetus today comes from software, virtualization and industrial AI. Intelligent functions can be integrated into existing systems and immediately create added value, for example through real-time quality control or support for skilled workers in their processes.

Another key trend is co-creation. It is no longer about implementing everything alone, but rather intelligently combining the best of different worlds. With our open partner network ctrlX World, which now comprises over 110 partners and more than 85 apps, we are putting this concept into practice. In short, openness will become a driver of innovation in the future - and security will be a fundamental prerequisite for stable operations.

Where do you see the biggest challenges for your industry in the next two to three years?

The challenges are manifold: on the one hand, we continue to feel the effects of economic weakness and geopolitical uncertainties, such as customs duties and increasing competitive pressure from Asia. On the other hand, we must continue to gain momentum in Europe in the areas of industrial AI and software expertise.

Cybersecurity is also a major topic. As networking increases, so does the attack surface, and the forthcoming Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) places high demands on manufacturers. We consistently rely on Secure by Design and Secure by Default. ctrlX OS is certified in accordance with IEC 62443-4-2 and is already prepared for the CRA. Additional functions such as an integrated security scanner provide transparency regarding the security status of entire machine parks.
In short: automation is becoming increasingly software-driven and networked - but must be designed to be all the more secure.

Despite the economic challenges, I am confidently optimistic. We are not at the end of an era, but at the beginning of a new one.

Firstly, the technologies we have been talking about for a long time - software, AI, virtualization - are now being put into practice.

Secondly, competitive pressure is forcing us to become faster and more open. Proprietary boundaries are dissolving and new partnerships are emerging. This is not just technical progress, but a cultural change.

And thirdly, the industry now thinks in terms of ecosystems rather than components. This is precisely where Europe's strength lies: in integration expertise, engineering know-how and the courage to cooperate.

And on a personal note: What is the highlight of SPS 2025 for you?

For me, the SPS is and remains the central meeting place for the automation industry - a must for anyone who wants to see where the industry is heading. My personal highlight is that we not only present our technology at our stand, but also have many partners with us. This makes it tangible how innovation is created when different strengths come together.

Our live demos and partner solutions impressively show how openness and security work together - and how concepts can be implemented in concrete applications.

Thank you very much for the interview.

The questions were asked by Melanie Steinbeck.