Advantech will exhibit at SPS 2026 in Nuremberg from 24 to 26 November, in Hall 7, Booth 380. The Taiwanese industrial computing supplier will focus on three topics: Industrial AI at the edge, physical AI and software-defined automation. In addition, the booth will feature joint demonstrations with several software and automation partners.
A standard OT edge layer as the starting point
The motto of the stand is “Driving Industrial AI Edge & Software-Defined Automation”. Behind it is a clear idea. Advantech proposes a standardised operational technology (OT) edge foundation on the shop floor. On top of this layer, plants can connect machines, process their data locally and run AI applications close to production.
For this reason, the showcase is organised around three pillars:
- Industrial WISE solutions: WISE-IoT and WEDA software for equipment connectivity, edge data management and flexible development of AI applications.
- Edge AI and physical AI: industrial computing platforms for predictive maintenance, intelligent inspection and robotics.
- Software-defined automation: software-defined edge platforms, with special attention to industrial communication, software integration and cybersecurity.
From industrial PC to software-defined automation
The third pillar is probably the most relevant for control engineers. Advantech wants to show how plants can move beyond the classic industrial PC towards more flexible automation architectures. In this approach, control functions run as software on edge hardware. As a result, the same platform can be updated or extended without changing the whole control cabinet.
However, this shift also brings new requirements. Industrial protocols, integration with existing systems and OT security become key design decisions. That is why these three aspects are at the centre of the software-defined demos in Hall 7.
Partner demos: robotics, data and energy
Advantech hardware relies on processors and software from Intel, NVIDIA, Microsoft, Qualcomm and AMD. These technologies support its industrial computing, edge AI and intelligent HMI portfolio.
Besides these technology providers, the booth will host demonstrations developed with Canonical, Bosch Rexroth, AMC and Xentara. The joint applications cover physical AI and robotics, industrial data management, energy monitoring and software-defined automation. The collaboration with Bosch Rexroth is not new: Advantech already offers industrial PCs running ctrlX OS under an OEM agreement.
Application examples: iPHM and edge AI HMIs
Two application demos will make the concepts more concrete:
- iPHM: Advantech’s AI-powered predictive maintenance solution for equipment health monitoring.
- Next-generation HMIs: operator panels with edge AI capabilities and remote visualisation.
Both examples aim to improve equipment monitoring, operational visibility and human-machine interaction.
Why it matters for automation engineers
Many plants already collect machine data, but they rarely turn it into AI applications at scale. Often, each project needs its own gateway, its own software stack and its own security concept. A common edge layer can reduce this effort. Machine builders and system integrators can then reuse the same platform across lines and sites.
Moreover, the partner list shows a clear trend. Software companies such as Canonical and Xentara now stand next to automation vendors like Bosch Rexroth. In other words, the boundary between PLC, IPC and edge server is becoming less rigid. SPS visitors interested in this topic can compare Advantech’s approach with other SPS 2026 news on control and edge platforms.
Visit Advantech at SPS 2026
| Event | SPS 2026 – Smart Production Solutions |
| Dates | 24–26 November 2026 |
| Venue | Messe Nuremberg, Germany |
| Booth | Hall 7, Booth 380 |
| Theme | Driving Industrial AI Edge & Software-Defined Automation |
More information is available on Advantech’s Edge Computing & WISE-Edge solutions page and in the official SPS 2026 announcement. Further news from the company is collected in our Advantech section.