What Universalautomation.org does

UniversalAutomation.org (UAO), operating as UniversalAutomation.org AISBL under Belgian law, is an international non-profit association founded in 2021 and headquartered in Brussels. Its mission is to develop, govern, and promote a shared runtime based on the IEC 61499 standard that enables portable, interoperable automation applications executing across hardware from any compliant vendor. The organization addresses the long-standing problem of vendor lock-in in industrial automation by providing a write-once, reuse-anywhere model for distributed automation software.

The core product is the UAO Runtime and Controller, an execution environment for IEC 61499-based 'plug and produce' software components that can be deployed on PLCs, DCS, edge computers, instruments, and actuators. This is supported by a structured IEC 61499 eLearning curriculum and the UAO Member Portal, which provides forum-based technical support and access to complementary documentation. The technology stack is built on the open Eclipse 4diac project for IEC 61499 development tools. The ecosystem spans over 100 members, including end-user enterprises (BASF, ExxonMobil, Cargill, Veolia, Honeywell, Bilfinger, Wood), automation vendors (Schneider Electric, Yokogawa, Honeywell, R. Stahl, ODOT, Inovance, Kyland), chipmakers (Intel, Analog Devices), systems integrators (Barbara, Flexbridge, ProSoft, RoviSys, Actemium), and academic institutions (Aalto University, JKU Linz, INSA Lyon, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, University of Warwick, Postech, University of Queensland, among others).

Revenue is generated through annual membership fees and training/eLearning services. The membership is governed by a board of directors composed of representatives from member organizations across multiple continents. The GTM motion is community-led, anchored by the annual UAO Global Summit, active participation in industry conferences, and ongoing academic outreach to seed IEC 61499 expertise into the workforce. There are no external investors, and the organization is structured as a member-driven non-profit rather than a venture-backed company.

Name

Universalautomation.org

Legal name

UniversalAutomation.org AISBL

Website

https://universalautomation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

UniversalAutomation.org is a Brussels-based non-profit association that develops and governs a shared IEC 61499 runtime, enabling portable, interoperable industrial automation applications across hardware vendors. Its members include automation end-users, vendors, integrators, and academic institutions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Automation Software

NAICS

Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), Software Publishers (5132)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial Automation Software (SCADA, HMI, MES, Historian) (IMAHAHAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Industrial Controllers & Control Systems (PLCs, PACs, CNC Controllers) (IMAHAHAH), PLC, HMI & SCADA Automation (EDAOAHAD)

Keywords

• Industrial automation software
• Distributed control systems
• IEC 61499 runtime
• Process automation platform
• Hardware-independent automation

Headquarters

HQ city

Brussels

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: UniversalAutomation.org generates revenue through membership fees from organizations joining the association. Members gain access to the next generation of universal automation technology and collaborate within an ecosystem of innovative technology vendors and thought-leading users.
2. Training and eLearning: The organization provides IEC 61499 curriculum and training materials through its customer portal. Members get access to additional complementary documents that enhance understanding and application of IEC 61499.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

UniversalAutomation.org develops and governs a shared IEC 61499-based runtime and controller that executes portable, interoperable industrial automation applications across hardware-independent controllers (PLCs, DCS, edge computers, instruments, actuators). The nonprofit association provides its runtime technology, an eLearning curriculum on the IEC 61499 standard, and a member portal to enable application portability and IT/OT convergence for industrial users, technology vendors, and academic institutions.

Product overview

UniversalAutomation.org is an open automation ecosystem combining an IEC 61499 standard-based technology enabler with a community organized around an independent non-profit association. The core product is the UAO Runtime and Controller, which enables hardware-independent, portable distributed automation applications using plug-and-produce software components. This core runtime is supported by an IEC 61499 eLearning curriculum that teaches developers how to design distributed applications with the standard, and a Member Portal providing access to additional complementary documentation, training forums, and resources. Together, these products deliver application portability and interoperability across automation hardware from multiple vendors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• UAO Runtime and Controller A runtime environment that executes IEC 61499-based distributed automation applications across hardware-independent controllers, enabling applications written for one device to run on any UAO-compliant hardware platform (PLCs, DCS, edge computers, instruments, actuators). Targeted at industrial automation users, technology vendors, and academic institutions seeking vendor-independent, portable automation.
• IEC 61499 Curriculum and eLearning A structured learning program and training curriculum covering IEC 61499 standard concepts, distributed application design, and plug-and-produce software component development, with access to complementary documents for UAO members. Targeted at developers, engineers, and academic institutions adopting IEC 61499-based automation.
• UAO Member Portal A customer portal providing members with access to training curriculums, forums for raising technical questions on automation problems and solutions, and additional complementary IEC 61499 documentation and resources. Targeted at UAO member organizations (enterprises, technology vendors, and academic institutions).

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• ExxonMobilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading global energy company actively participating in UniversalAutomation.org. Dominic de Kerf, Plant Systems and Controls COE, explains they joined to decouple application from hardware due to regional complexities of cyber security, maintenance, and software requirements on their path towards Industry 4.0.
• BASFcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor global chemical company supporting the universal automation initiative and open standards for industrial automation.
• Schneider ElectriccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal energy management and automation company with VP Benoît Thooris serving on the UAO Board of Directors. Supports open, vendor-independent automation solutions.
• YokogawacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProcess automation leader with Principal Software Architect Vien Nguyen serving on the UAO Board of Directors. Committed to IEC 61499-based open automation.
• Intel CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSenior Director David McCall serves on the UAO Board of Directors representing Industrial Standards. Intel supports open automation standards for industrial digitalization.
• Kongsberg MaritimecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorwegian technology company with Principal Architect Sølve Raaen on the UAO Board of Directors. Prefers systems built on open standards over vendor-locked solutions.
• WoodcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal engineering and consulting firm. Business Manager Brad Mozisek serves on the Board. German Carmona, Global President of Wood's Digital Consulting business, explains UAO technology enables business innovation, digital adoption, and agility.
• Analog DevicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSemiconductor company supporting open automation. Managing Director Nicholas Holland explains UAO provides flexibility for competitive and sustainable industry.
• VeoliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOperations and Performance Director Michel Arroyo leads multi-vendor complexity management across thousands of third-party installations. Seeks to simplify through the association's approach and pool skills on limited platforms.
• Aalto UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinnish university with Professor Valeriy Vyatkin. Committed to open era in operations and automation, enabling connectivity and deployment of AI technologies.
• JKU Linz (Johannes Kepler University Linz)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity contributing through Eclipse 4diac open-source project. Dr. Alois Zoitl supports adoption of standards enabling seamless connectivity and innovation in industrial automation.
• INSA LyoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench engineering school with Professor Mady Guillemot preparing future workforce with IEC 61499-based curriculum. Exposes students to future-ready, software-centric open automation.
• BarbaracoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEO David Purón explains they joined to contribute to making large runtime deployments more scalable and secure through modern Edge Management functions. Represents commitment to open, flexible solutions.
• FlexbridgecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCTO Dmitrii Drozdov explains UAO marks a new era in automation technology set to transform software development. Contributing to 'plug and produce' vision supporting flexible manufacturing.
• CargillcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor manufacturing company supporting universal automation ecosystem for industrial digital transformation.
• HoneywellcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal technology company supporting open automation standards and universal automation ecosystem.
• BilfingercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngineering and services company supporting universal automation ecosystem.
• Penguin SolutionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHead of Strategic Alliances Rudy de Anda: proud to support open, vendor-independent automation. UAO's open approach lets users choose best hardware-software combinations with reliable, secure platforms.
• AccenturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal professional services company supporting universal automation ecosystem and open automation standards.
• R. StahlcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSenior Product Manager Andre Fritsch: customers want open systems with IEC 61499 enabling one interface across all controllers. Process automation embracing change.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Rockwell Automation: Major discrete-automation incumbent (Logix, Studio 5000) competing for open-architecture mindshare. Comparable as a broad incumbent whose proprietary platform sits opposite UAO's portability promise.
• Schneider Electric: Global automation vendor (EcoStruxure, Modicon PLCs) and UAO board member via VP Benoît Thooris. Comparable as a broad incumbent whose automation portfolio overlaps with UAO's portability mission while also representing UAO in governance.
• Siemens: Largest industrial automation incumbent with SIMATIC PLCs, TIA Portal, and competing 'open' digital industry initiatives. Comparable as a broad-based automation platform vendor whose proprietary stack competes with UAO's portable runtime.
• ABB: Process and discrete automation incumbent with Ability platform and System 800xA DCS. Comparable as a broad automation vendor with significant process-industry overlap with UAO's primary verticals.
• Honeywell: Process automation incumbent (Experion, ControlEdge) and UAO member. Comparable as a broad automation vendor whose proprietary platforms compete in the same process-industry segments UAO targets for portability.

Emerging players

• Eclipse Foundation: Open-source foundation hosting Eclipse 4diac, the reference implementation for IEC 61499. Directly comparable as the open-source ecosystem that backs UAO's runtime and is the technical substrate for UAO's plug-and-produce vision.

Others

• Linux Foundation Edge (LF Edge): Industry umbrella under the Linux Foundation for edge computing frameworks relevant to industrial IoT and runtime portability. Comparable as an ecosystem enabler adjacent to UAO's IT/OT convergence thesis.

Direct peers

• ODVA: Global standards organization for CIP (Common Industrial Protocol) including EtherNet/IP and DeviceNet. Comparable as a membership-based association that defines open industrial networking standards and certifies compliant devices.
• FieldComm Group: Standards body governing HART and FOUNDATION Fieldbus protocols for process automation. Directly comparable membership-association model focused on interoperability standards for industrial process instrumentation.
• OPC Foundation: Industry standards body that governs the OPC UA interoperability standard for industrial automation, structured similarly as a membership-driven organization addressing vendor-independent industrial communication. Directly comparable as a neutral, standards-anchoring nonprofit in industrial automation.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/UniversalAuto_
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCWNfwJa31Hejpcf4gnrDxtw
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/universalautomation-org

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Universalautomation.org