Open-Source Technologies Revolutionize the Factory Floor

By Brandon Lewis | March 04, 2025

Manufacturing and automation are undergoing a new industrial revolution. The growing demand for interoperability, interchangeability, and portability is driving this significant transformation led by open-source technologies.

Engineers test the control of robot arm, Intelligent machine in factory industrial on real-time monitoring system software. Robots weld workpieces and produce industrial parts to reduce human labor.

Open-source technologies, from Raspberry Pi-based industrial controllers to Linux edge devices, have enabled a shift in how industries approach automation. Open-source solutions in industrial environments offer adaptability and flexibility to complex manufacturing processes and the community-driven nature of open-source projects accelerates innovation, development cycles, and collective problem-solving.

Another compelling advantage of open-source automation is its cost-effectiveness. By reducing dependency on proprietary systems, companies can significantly lower their initial investment and ongoing maintenance costs. This accessibility democratizes access to advanced automation technologies, which is particularly beneficial for smaller enterprises or those with limited budgets.

Open-source solutions promote seamless communication across diverse devices and protocols. This interoperability is crucial in modern industrial settings, where equipment from various manufacturers must work in harmony. By adhering to open standards, these solutions ensure that different components of an automation system can effectively “speak” to each other, regardless of their origin.

Contrary to the misconception that open-source software is less secure, the transparency inherent in open-source projects often leads to more robust security. The community’s ability to scrutinize code allows for quicker identification and resolution of vulnerabilities. This collaborative approach to security is precious in industrial settings where system integrity is paramount.

One of the most significant advantages of open-source automation is the freedom from vendor lock-in. Traditional proprietary systems often tie users to specific vendors for upgrades, maintenance, and support. Open-source alternatives provide the flexibility to choose from a wide range of service providers or even develop in-house expertise, ensuring long-term support and adaptability.

Open-Source Hardware Solutions

A wide assortment of open-source hardware platforms is available, offering the scalability, flexibility, and support needed for the most widely used industrial protocols.

KUNBUS Revolution Pi

KUNBUS Revolution Pi (RevPi) is a modular industrial PC based on the Raspberry Pi Compute Module. This innovative platform offers exceptional flexibility for expansion and supports a wide array of industrial protocols, including Open Platform Communications Unified Architecture (OPC UA), Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT), Modbus, and EtherNet/IP.

In practice, RevPi has found applications in diverse manufacturing environments. For instance, it can serve as a central controller in a smart factory, coordinating various production processes and collecting real-time data for analysis. Its modular nature allows for easy scaling and adaptation as production needs evolve.

Arduino Opta

Arduino, known for its user-friendly development boards, has entered the industrial automation space with the Arduino Opta. This programmable logic controller (PLC) maintains compatibility with the Arduino ecosystem while meeting the rigorous demands of industrial applications.

The Opta’s strength lies in its ease of programming and compatibility with industrial protocols. It’s particularly well-suited for small-scale automation projects and rapid prototyping. For example, a small manufacturing facility might use Opta to automate a packaging line, leveraging its intuitive programming interface to implement and iterate on control logic quickly.

Other Notable Options

While RevPi and Arduino Opta are at the forefront, other open-source hardware platforms like BeagleBoard and Olimex are also making inroads in industrial automation. These platforms offer unique features and capabilities, further expanding the options available to automation engineers.

Open-source software plays a critical role in managing and controlling industrial processes. Highly customizable and scalable, these software platforms can handle diverse applications, from monitoring to automation control. As automation advances, open-source control software provides cost-effective alternatives to traditional hardware-based solutions. These projects empower industries to develop flexible, hardware-independent control systems.

Seamless communication between devices is key in modern industrial environments. Open-source communication protocols allow for interoperability and real-time data exchange, ensuring smooth operations across diverse equipment.

Read this article in its entirety on Mouser Electronics’ website to learn more about open-source software and software-based alternatives to traditional hardware PLCs and communication protocols. Mouser offers a wide range of the latest connectivity solutions to design smart automation systems.