Bringing Industrial AI into the machine
- Digitalization
- AI
- 14.9.2026
- Reading Time: {{readingTime}} min
Contents
Why industrial AI requires industrial-grade hardware
The question regarding the hardware and development platforms suitable for industrial uses leaves little room for compromise.
It is certainly not enough to place powerful standard IT equipment into protective housings in order to win points with the enormous computing capacity in data-heavy Industry 4.0 applications. Not only are the individual components not designed for the rough ambient conditions or the high degree of fail-safe stability required in industrial manufacturing. This approach also fails to fulfill one of the central demands of industrial customers - the guaranteed availability of the same product over many years.
For this reason, we have developed our own universal AI solution that meets all the requirements of industrial customers:
AI extension module AE 550: AI accelerator for industrial applications
We present the next generation of industrial AI hardware: the AI extension module AE 550. The module combines exceptional computing power with industrial-grade robustness, enabling the seamless integration of AI and machine learning applications directly into the control environment.
The AE 550 is specifically designed for vision and AI applications that require high computing performance, such as object recognition, quality inspection, and position detection. Simpler AI models, including anomaly detection and time series analysis, can be executed directly on the PLC without requiring additional hardware.
Thanks to the open, Linux-based architecture of our Kemro X control system, the AE 550 is fully integrated and uses the same development environment. Equipped with a powerful AI accelerator, it connects directly to the control system and is integrated into the control application - eliminating the need for a separate industrial PC or additional programming effort. The result is a compact, consistent, and scalable platform for industrial AI applications.
From AI hardware to real-world implementation
The AE 550 addresses the growing demand for integrated industrial AI by combining vision-based inspection, data-driven process optimization, and intelligent control tasks on a single platform.
Beyond the hardware, we support our partners throughout their digital transformation and the development of their own AI applications. Our experience shows that industrial customers exploring AI for production typically have skilled data scientists and software developers who are familiar with programming languages such as Python and frameworks like TensorFlow. They can design neural networks and deploy algorithms on CPUs, GPUs, or DPUs without difficulty.
The real challenge is integrating these AI algorithms seamlessly into a machine environment. Reliable communication with the control system is essential to ensure that AI capabilities deliver measurable value in real-world applications. Over the past several years, we have built extensive expertise in this field through our AI Competence Center, enabling us to help machine manufacturers successfully integrate AI into their machines and unlock its full potential.
Ready to bring AI into your machines?
Let’s discuss how to turn your AI ideas into reliable industrial applications.
