OTTO's Industrial API enhances AGV connectivity

AGV maker OTTO Motors has released its OTTO Industrial API (application programming interface), to enhance connectivity in an optimised smart factory. The Industrial API addresses the challenge of machine-to-machine communication and full industrial automation by simplifying the process of connecting equipment and programmable logic controllers (PLCs) to OTTO.

"OTTO Motors is really setting the bar high for system accessibility and ease of integration in their market," says Don Pearson, chief strategy officer of Inductive Automation. "We are excited to see how this API can remove connectivity barriers that have prevented some people from utilising self-driving vehicles in the past."

As a collaborating company with Inductive Automation, OTTO Motors integrated Ignition software as part of the Industrial API architecture. Ignition is a platform with a feature set that includes the translation of different protocols to the ones needed to speak to PLCs within manufacturing environments, thereby contributing to a closed loop automation system. According to Pearson, "This new API allows Ignition to seamlessly access the data as OPC tags and integrate them with our built-in components and scripting."

"The industry has long struggled with the challenge of connecting industrial machines built by different companies," explains Simon Drexler, director of product, OTTO Motors. "Pieces of equipment from the same company generally communicate easily with each other but creating a connection that enables data to be exchanged across products from different vendors can be complicated, costly, and time consuming - and sometimes impossible. This problem is, at best, a barrier to attaining the benefits of a smart factory that many companies aspire to. At worst, it's a severe limitation on productivity."

Available now, the OTTO Industrial API connects self-driving vehicles to existing automation systems and processes, providing faster integration of OTTO with robust and standardised integrations with industry-standard software and protocols. The Ignition server software creates total system integration for the plant floor. Together, Inductive Automation and OTTO Motors claim to facilitate greater efficiencies and increased productivity through higher quality and long-term reliability.