Grossenbacher Automation Becomes Bosch Rexroth's New ctrlX OS OEM Partner

Bosch Rexroth welcomes Swiss-based Grossenbacher Automation as another OEM partner for ctrlX OS. The company offers Smart Panel and Web Panel solutions as well as Smart Controllers based on the open Linux operating system ctrlX OS with ARM CPUs, thereby expanding the ctrlX OS ecosystem to include ready-to-use HMI-PLC, HMI, and control solutions for machine and plant engineering, as well as other general automation applications.

«With Grossenbacher Automation, our OEM network is expanding to include a partner that develops and markets its own Smart Panels, Web Panels, and Smart Controllers based on ctrlX OS. This adds further production-ready automation solutions to the ctrlX OS ecosystem. This gives users even more options for customizing their systems without having to rely on different operating systems or proprietary software environments,» says Steffen Winkler, Head of Sales for the Automation & Electrification Solutions Business Unit at Bosch Rexroth.

HMI, Visualization, and Control

While some applications require an HMI and control system in a single device, others rely on separate control and visualization layers. Grossenbacher Automation addresses both requirements with an all-in-one concept based on ctrlX OS. The Smart Panel, as an HMI-PLC, combines visualization and control functions on a single ARM-based device. A soft PLC can be integrated using the CodeSys-based PLC app for ctrlX OS. For distributed architectures, the Web Panel complements controllers such as the ctrlX Core X3 or X5 to enable web-based visualization. The Smart Controller is a compact, real-time-capable industrial controller for automation tasks and rounds out the portfolio in the lower performance class.

This makes it possible to implement and scale different machine designs on a unified platform.

Open software platform reduces development effort

Thanks to ctrlX OS’s app-based approach, functions can be added as needed and existing solutions can be flexibly expanded. This opens the door to new, innovative software concepts in automation—such as the seamless combination of Python-based apps with traditional soft PLCs. At the same time, open interfaces such as OPC UA, MQTT, and the ctrlX Data Layer enable easy integration into machines as well as higher-level MES, SCADA, and cloud systems.

Since Smart Panel, Web Panel, and Smart Controller are available as off-the-shelf products, customers can begin implementing their concepts immediately. The solutions can be flexibly deployed for a variety of applications—from machine and plant engineering to process engineering and building automation—and can be customized for specific applications as needed.

They are based on ctrlX OS, which is designed to meet the requirements of the Cyber Resilience Act and is certified to IEC 62443-4-2 Security Level 2. This provides a secure and updatable platform that supports manufacturers and machine builders in complying with regulatory requirements.

«With ctrlX OS, we’ve found the platform on which our vision for Grossenbacher Automation is built. The company was founded in 2025 as a spin-off from Grossenbacher Systeme, which had been established for over 30 years. This allows us to combine our decades of experience with a modern, open software platform for automation. We don’t build siloed solutions—we develop forward-looking products that integrate seamlessly into a variety of environments,» says Oliver Roth, Chairman of the Board at Grossenbacher Automation.

More information: www.boschrexroth.com