Rockwell Automation Showcases Emulate3D Factory Test for the First Time at NVIDIA GTC 2025

Rhea-AI Summary

Rockwell Automation (NYSE:ROK) is set to debut its new Emulate3D Factory Test capabilities at NVIDIA GTC 2025, showcasing advanced factory-scale virtual controls testing technology. The solution, integrated with NVIDIA Omniverse APIs and OpenUSD, enables manufacturers to validate automation systems before deployment through Factory Acceptance Testing.

Key features of Factory Test include:

• Multi-model orchestration for factory-scale testing
• Modern DevOps workflows for version control and real-time tracking
• Test Runner for automated testing at scale
• Fault Framework for system resilience assessment
• Advanced full-factory visualization powered by NVIDIA Omniverse APIs

The showcase will take place March 17-21 in San Jose, with Rockwell's presentation scheduled for March 20 at 11 a.m. PDT. This launch follows Rockwell's November 2024 collaboration announcement with NVIDIA to integrate AI and physics-based simulation in industrial automation.

Positive

• Launch of new factory-scale virtual testing platform enhances ROK's industrial automation portfolio
• Strategic partnership with NVIDIA strengthens technological capabilities
• Platform enables cost reduction through virtual testing before physical deployment

Negative

• None.

Insights

Technology Expert

Rockwell Automation's debut of Emulate3D Factory Test represents a significant technological advancement in industrial automation. This isn't merely another simulation tool – it's a comprehensive digital twin solution that addresses a critical pain point for manufacturers: validating complex automation systems before physical deployment.

The integration with NVIDIA Omniverse APIs and OpenUSD is particularly noteworthy as it enables unprecedented visualization capabilities and real-time collaboration. This positions Rockwell strategically in the growing industrial metaverse space, where digital representations of physical assets are becoming essential for operational efficiency.

What sets Factory Test apart is its modular approach to digital twin creation, allowing engineering teams to combine various system models (mechanical, electrical, controls, process) into a unified representation. The announced capabilities – multi-model orchestration, modern DevOps workflows, Test Runner, Fault Framework, and advanced visualization – create a comprehensive solution that could significantly reduce commissioning times and costly errors in factory deployments.

This launch builds on Rockwell's November 2024 announcement of collaboration with NVIDIA to implement AI and physics-based simulation in industrial automation. The strategic partnership with an AI industry leader strengthens Rockwell's competitive positioning in the rapidly evolving factory automation market, where AI-driven solutions are becoming a key differentiator.

Financial Analyst

Rockwell Automation's introduction of Emulate3D Factory Test represents a strategic product expansion in the high-growth digital twin market, estimated to reach $86 billion by 2028 with a 39% CAGR. This fits perfectly within ROK's software-focused growth strategy, which typically delivers higher margins than traditional hardware automation products.

The partnership with NVIDIA adds substantial credibility and technological depth to Rockwell's digital offerings. By leveraging NVIDIA's expertise in AI and visualization technology, Rockwell is positioning itself at the intersection of industrial automation and artificial intelligence – a premium market segment with significant growth potential.

For industrial clients, the value proposition is compelling: Factory Test enables virtual validation of automation systems before physical deployment, potentially saving millions in commissioning costs and reducing time-to-market. These tangible ROI benefits should drive adoption despite the traditionally conservative nature of industrial automation customers.

From a competitive standpoint, this advanced digital twin capability helps differentiate Rockwell from other automation players like Siemens, ABB, and Honeywell. The collaboration with NVIDIA creates a technological moat that could be difficult for competitors to replicate quickly, potentially leading to market share gains in the industrial software segment where margins are typically 20-30% higher than hardware.

Enterprise-scale digital twins unlock new possibilities for virtual controls testing

MILWAUKEE--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Rockwell Automation (NYSE:ROK), the world’s largest company dedicated to industrial automation and digital transformation, will debut its new Emulate3D® Factory Test™ capabilities at NVIDIA GTC 2025. This first public showcase will demonstrate how the solution enables factory-scale virtual controls testing, helping manufacturers conduct Factory Acceptance Testing to validate automation systems before deployment. Attendees will get an exclusive look at how Factory Test, integrated with NVIDIA Omniverse™ APIs and OpenUSD, is redefining digital twin technology with high-fidelity simulation and real-time collaboration.

Rockwell Automation Showcases Emulate3D Factory Test for the First Time at NVIDIA GTC 2025. (Photo: Business Wire)

“Manufacturers need scalable, high-fidelity digital twins to optimize system performance and accelerate commissioning times,” said Matheus Bulho, senior vice president, software and control, Rockwell Automation. “With the launch of Emulate3D Factory Test, we’re providing a solution that allows engineering teams to test, iterate and validate automation systems at full factory scale – leveraging the power of NVIDIA Omniverse to deliver unprecedented visualization and collaboration capabilities.”

Factories are inherently complex environments, with thousands of moving parts, high-speed machinery and intricate system interactions. Traditional simulation tools often struggle to model these environments with sufficient fidelity and scale. Factory Test overcomes these challenges with a modular modeling approach, enabling teams to build, verify and combine mechanical, electrical, controls, process, robotics and device behavior models into a unified digital twin.

At launch, Emulate3D Factory Test will introduce key capabilities, including:

• Multi-model orchestration – Synchronizing multiple system models for factory-scale testing
• Modern DevOps workflows – Streamlining version control, testing and deployment while allowing all stakeholders to work from the latest version, track changes in real time and maintain alignment across teams
• Test Runner – Enabling repeatable, automated testing at scale
• Fault Framework – Simulating fault conditions to assess system resilience
• Advanced full-factory visualization – Powered by NVIDIA Omniverse APIs, initially available via private preview.

“NVIDIA Omniverse and OpenUSD are redefining how industries use AI-driven simulation to optimize design and operations,” said Brian Harrison, senior director of Omniverse Digital Twins at NVIDIA. “With Emulate3D Factory Test, Rockwell Automation is integrating Omniverse technologies and OpenUSD to bring next-generation digital twins to the industrial sector, helping teams simulate, validate and optimize complex manufacturing systems at an unprecedented scale.”

The debut of Factory Test coincides with NVIDIA GTC 2025, held March 17-21 in San Jose, Calif. As part of the event, Rockwell Automation experts will present “Exploring Factory-Scale Digital Twin Simulation with Rockwell Automation” on March 20 at 11 a.m. PDT. This session will showcase how Emulate3D Factory Test, with advanced capabilities enabled by NVIDIA Omniverse APIs, is transforming industrial automation through AI-driven simulation and digital twin technology.

This announcement builds upon Rockwell’s November 2024 announcement, which introduced the collaboration with NVIDIA to bring AI and physics-based simulation to industrial automation. The introduction of Factory Test represents another milestone in the journey toward more intelligent, autonomous operations.

Click here to learn more about Emulate3D Factory Test.

About Rockwell Automation

Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK), is a global leader in industrial automation and digital transformation. We connect the imaginations of people with the potential of technology to expand what is humanly possible, making the world more productive and more sustainable. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Rockwell Automation employs approximately 27,000 problem solvers dedicated to our customers in more than 100 countries as of fiscal year end 2024. To learn more about how we are bringing the Connected Enterprise to life across industrial enterprises, visit www.rockwellautomation.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250313584308/en/

Media contact:

Chaya Jacobs

Director, Media & Social

Rockwell Automation

414-305-2784

Source: Rockwell Automation, Inc.

FAQ

What are the key features of Rockwell Automation's new Emulate3D Factory Test?

The key features include multi-model orchestration, modern DevOps workflows, Test Runner for automated testing, Fault Framework for system resilience, and advanced factory visualization powered by NVIDIA Omniverse APIs.

When and where will ROK showcase the Emulate3D Factory Test?

Rockwell Automation will showcase Emulate3D Factory Test at NVIDIA GTC 2025, held March 17-21 in San Jose, California, with a presentation on March 20 at 11 a.m. PDT.

How does ROK's Emulate3D Factory Test benefit manufacturers?

It enables manufacturers to conduct Factory Acceptance Testing to validate automation systems before deployment, using high-fidelity simulation and real-time collaboration capabilities.

What is the relationship between ROK and NVIDIA for the Factory Test platform?

ROK's Factory Test is integrated with NVIDIA Omniverse APIs and OpenUSD, building on their November 2024 collaboration to bring AI and physics-based simulation to industrial automation.