Omron boosts industrial innovation in Europe with new high-tech automation center in Stuttgart

Omron has expanded its extensive network of nearly 50 cutting-edge development centers and laboratories worldwide with a new high-tech facility in Germany.

The state-of-the-art automation development hub, strategically located in Stuttgart, which was officially opened in April this year, will serve as a leading hub supporting industrial innovation in Europe.

The location is not accidental

The location of the new center for expertise and development of advanced technologies for industrial automation was chosen purposefully – in connection with the proximity of the German city to key customers and partners of the company. The facility’s activities will actively support collaboration between users of Omron solutions on the Old Continent.

The newly opened European hub of the Asian leader in industrial automation creates extensive opportunities for new inventions, partnership projects, testing and validation of innovative concepts in the field (Proof of Concept, POC).

The modern center covers an area of over 2,300 sq. m and is located in close proximity to Stuttgart International Airport. The facility’s team includes highly qualified experts with diverse specializations, including in the fields of sensor technologies, control, machine vision, robotics, IoT and artificial intelligence.

The new core of innovation processes on the Old Continent

The hub provides conditions for the joint development of innovative solutions by the company’s engineers and customers, including a number of established manufacturing and mechanical engineering companies, as well as system integrators in Europe. Through the new center, Omron aims to support them in overcoming a number of economic and social challenges such as the shortage of personnel.

“The new automation center in Stuttgart is the result of our significant investments in Germany and the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region. I am extremely proud of the dedicated teamwork that has turned this vision into reality. The realization of this project and the creation of a space for co-innovation with users is an inspiring moment. We are excited to shape the future of manufacturing together with our customers and partners,” commented Fernando Colas, CEO of Omron Industrial Automation Europe.

“At Omron, we believe that the greatest innovations come from collaboration. What makes the new automation development center so special is that it was created specifically for this purpose. Every part of this facility has been designed with our customers’ needs in mind to create an environment for collaboration, testing and refining cutting-edge solutions for real-world applications,” adds Peter Ehl, general manager of the new development center.

Structure of the facility

The high-tech hub consists of three main sectors – a demonstration zone, a specialized hall “i-Automation! Room” and a laboratory for validation of concepts (PoC Lab).

The demo zone will allow visitors to get up close and personal with some of Omron’s most iconic solutions in action. Guests and users of the facility will be able to learn first-hand how the Japanese company’s practical technologies contribute to reducing costs, increasing quality and accelerating the market implementation of new products. The zone can be used to observe live quality control systems with artificial intelligence, high-precision robots, etc.

The specialized hall “i-Automation! Room” is dedicated to Omron’s iconic eponymous concept for manufacturing innovations. It illustrates the evolution of the concept, the corporate philosophy and business principles of the Asian company, as well as its modern approaches to solving key challenges such as the shortage of personnel.

In the PoC lab, customers who want to get involved in the development and testing of new solutions will be able to work closely with company engineers, as well as benefit from in-depth technical training.

See the modern center from the inside in the video: