Open source technology: Engine of change for industrial automation innovation

In recent times, Open source technologies play a vital role in the field of industrial automation. It is not just a technology, but a revolutionary way of thinking that is changing our understanding and practice of industrial automation. Additionally, Open source technology is swiftly emerging as a critical component for the digital transformation of industry sectors such as industrial and process manufacturing. Furthermore, organizations that utilize and benefit from open source significantly increase their chances that they will be successful competitors in their respective sectors. This includes industrial automation consumers, system integrators, machine builders, and automated suppliers.

On the other hand, this technology has efficiently created large and improved user ecosystems.  According to Mike MilinKovich[1], “There are no companies on the planet that can build a complete end-to-end solution and innovate fast enough to keep up with what is happening through the open and collaborative innovations in open source”.

The significance of open source technology is reflected in numerous aspects. To start with, it facilitates the interconnection of devices, advances open standards and protocols, and enhances the flexibility and intelligence of industrial automation systems. Additionally, open source technology facilitates robust backing for the digital revolution in industrial automation, enabling organization’s to enhance the efficiency of production process management and operation. Furthermore, the development of open source communities facilitates collaboration and interchanges among manufacturers, researchers, and engineers, which assists in the distribution of information and iterative technological advancement. For example, open source hardware comprises a variety of development boards, modules, sensors, and other hardware components that follow to open source protocols. This expedites the rate of hardware innovation and development by allowing unauthorized replication, distribution, modification, and use of the hardware.

Innovation driven by Open Source Technology

The conventional “closed source innovation” within organizations is progressively inflexible and difficult to change in response to business evolution and competition. The increasing popularity of open-source innovation can be attributed to its transparent nature and the practice of sharing outcomes. On the other hand, an open-source technology is extensively employed in over 80% of worldwide software sales, and it provides support for over 90% of scientific and technological innovation products. Therefore, it is becoming increasingly clear that evaluating the positive aspects of open-source innovation is important. The main distinction between closed source innovation and open source innovation lies in the extensive level of transparency exhibited by the outcomes of the innovation. In other words, the outcomes of open innovation are not proprietary or restricted; rather, they are shared publicly so that other businesses may gain knowledge from them. Participants are granted unrestricted access to the open-source licensing agreement, which permits them to engage in the innovation process, generate open-source outcomes, and distribute them with permission to modify as needed.

The Conceptual Framework and Characteristics of Open-Source Innovation

The term “open-source” was originally coined by Eric Raymond[2]. However, with the Internet economy has expanded and Internet technology has advanced, the term “open-source” has become more common. Over time, the word “open-source” has come to represent a way of thinking and culture that is primarily distinguished by the values of sharing, freedom, and transparency.

The Open Source innovation is a method derived from open source. However, the researchers of innovation have different aspects. For example, Open-source innovation is defined by Lerner and Tirole as a collaborative effort between consumers and experts who are interactive and knowledge-intensive and operate across regional boundaries and spaces via the Internet. Open-source innovation is defined by Steve Hamm as a collaborative development process involving numerous individuals. Multi-subject collaborative innovation and the exchange of accomplishments are evidently the most critical pillars of open-source innovation.

Open-source innovation is distinguished primarily by the following aspects:

• Customized Production: Open source technology enables the manufacturing sector to implement customized production, enabling businesses to rapidly adapt production lines to the specifications of their customers and produce small quantities and multiple varieties in a flexible manner.
• Intelligent manufacturing: The integration of open source technology with artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and other technological advancements has facilitated the progress of intelligent manufacturing, enhanced production efficiency and product quality, and enabled automatic equipment diagnosis, predictive maintenance, and intelligent optimization.
• Industrial Internet: Open source technology provides the technical foundation and support for the development of the Industrial Internet, enables real-time monitoring, analysis and application of production data, and promotes the transformation of the manufacturing industry to digitalization, networking and intelligence.

The Open Hardware Summit 2024 will be held on May 3-4, 2024, at Concordia University and Lespacemaker in Montreal, Canada. This is a comprehensive conference on open hardware and an important platform to promote the development and adoption of open-source technologies. Not only the organizers, but also the sponsors of the conference, such as the social organization DAI, the electronic components supplier Digi-Key, and WIN SOURCE, have shown their support for such an event, which contributes to the promotion of the transformation of production and industrial automation through financial and in-kind sponsorship. Events such as the 2024 Open Hardware Summit will promote the development of open-source technologies and instil confidence and inspiration in the future of industrial automation.

The Future Prospects of Open Source Technology

The expansion and growing adoption of technologies such as 5G, Internet of Things, and artificial intelligence will enhance the potential applications of open source technology within the domain of industrial automation. In the future, we can expect the following developments:

• Automation equipment and systems that are accessible and intelligent
• Production models and supply chain management that are more adaptable and personalized.
• More intelligent and productive factory management and operations;
• A production environment and human-machine collaboration that is more personal and intelligent.

In conclusion, as the catalyst for innovation in industrial automation, open source technology presents the manufacturing sector with novel prospects and challenges in its process of technological advancement and transformation. There is a consensus that the ongoing advancement of open source technology will open the way for a more promising future in industrial automation.