Bosch Rexroth Expands ctrlX With Safety, AI, and Cybersecurity

Bosch Rexroth has announced a series of updates to its ctrlX automation platform, spanning machine safety, cybersecurity, and AI-assisted engineering. A new CODESYS-based safety PLC runtime and programming extension supports safety functions such as emergency stops, monitoring, and safe motion signals. The latest ctrlX OS update adds cybersecurity features aligned with the EU Cyber Resilience Act, including a software bill of materials, alongside virtual OS deployment, git version control, and simplified login options. Bosch Rexroth is also integrating its iXi agentic AI system into the design environment, where engineers can use natural-language project requirements to generate configurations while retaining control through human verification.

Safety PLC for the ctrlX

While basic logical control has existed in all PLC environments since the advent of controllers, safety PLCs handle secure network protocols, work with secure I/O terminals and devices, and verify logic and operating conditions to ensure a safe machine environment.

New Safety PLC products. Image used courtesy of Bosch Rexroth

A CODESYS-based safety runtime and programming extension includes all standard function blocks for emergency stops, monitoring, safe motion signals, and more.

Cyber Resilience

The Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) has recently affected design requirements in the EU and worldwide. The most recent OS update includes features that allow compliance between the ctrlX core and the new CRA guidelines. One example is the provision of a software bill of materials that identifies all pre-loaded apps and software for any installation, enabling quick patching in case of known software vulnerabilities. This patch installation strategy deserves particular note because it must be done immediately, yet verified not to negatively impact any system operation under control.

The most recent OS updates reflect CRA guidelines. Image used courtesy of Bosch Rexroth

Other OS updates in the most recent version include the ability to install a virtual version of the operating system on local servers and edge PCs, git version control, and simplified login methods across all apps and services in the ecosystem.

Agentic iXi AI Programming

AI is a recent hot topic, and it’s impacting virtually everything in the automation environment. In the ctrlX system, an agentic AI system called iXi is integrated into the operating system and can read the data layer and manage and configure applications.

Bosch Rexroth has integrated AI into the design environment. Image used courtesy of Bosch Rexroth

Even though AI is more prevalent than ever, knowledgeable engineers must remain fully in control of the process. The project requirements and specs are entered in natural language, and the LLM interprets and builds the project, waiting for human verification before acting. This increases development speed without risking unanticipated changes.

Bosch Rexroth ctrlX Core

Flexibility always brings a challenge: complexity. As control systems become more advanced, development and execution reach a level of complexity that can make the controller feel like a mysterious black box. Bosch Rexroth aims to change this paradigm with transparent data handling and modular configuration of each piece of the puzzle, allowing engineers to work with each section of the project (each app) individually and securely, while they work together during execution to maintain central control of even the most complicated automation projects.