At Automate 2025 in Detroit, Schneider Electric is showcasing a suite of industrial automation technologies aimed at increasing efficiency, productivity, and adaptability in U.S. manufacturing. The company is presenting advancements in robotics, motion control, and generative AI, emphasizing their application within digitally connected and software-defined environments.
A central feature of Schneider Electric’s exhibition is the introduction of its industrial copilot, developed in collaboration with Microsoft. This generative AI assistant combines Microsoft Azure AI Foundry with Schneider’s industrial automation platforms to automate routine tasks, provide real-time operational recommendations, and support predictive maintenance. According to the company, the copilot is intended to alleviate workforce challenges, including labor shortages and skill gaps, by simplifying complex processes and reducing operational strain.
Demonstrations at the Schneider Electric booth highlight its EcoStruxure Automation Expert Platform, positioned as an open, software-defined solution that integrates automation across hardware and software platforms. The platform is presented within a digital factory environment, modeled as a brewery, to illustrate its role in enabling modular system design, real-time data access, and supply chain resilience.
The company is also presenting updates to its Lexium robotics range. These include the Lexium Cobot, now available with an 18-kilogram payload and a compact controller, and the Lexium SCARA, designed for high-speed, compact pick-and-place operations. The Lexium MC12 Multi Carrier system is designed to improve flexibility in material handling by supporting object movement and grouping with minimal changeover times.
In the area of motion control, Schneider Electric is launching the Modicon M660 Industrial PC motion controller and the Modicon Edge I/O NTS. These technologies incorporate edge computing and AI to enhance motion control efficiency and decision-making capabilities.
Additional exhibits include AVEVA Enterprise Visualization, a real-time operational dashboard aggregating data from diverse sources, and the TeSys Deca Advanced contactor. The latter features SNAP IN technology, which the company claims accelerates installation and facilitates robot-ready wiring without the need for tools or crimping.
