Artificial Intelligence (AI) is like a powerful wave in the global technology spotlight, constantly lapping at various industry sectors including industrial automation control. It has been argued that the position of PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) engineers seems to be becoming precarious in this wave.
So, does AI really have the ability to completely replace PLC engineers?
The irreplaceable nature of PLC engineers
While AI technology's excellence in big data processing and predictive analytics has sparked speculation about the possibility of replacing PLC engineers, a deeper dive reveals that AI is not yet able to fully fill the PLC engineer's central role in industrial automation control.
Engineers use a deep theoretical foundation and extensive practical experience to accurately design and customise programming to meet complex process requirements, and can flexibly respond to changes in equipment characteristics and working conditions in the actual operating environment. This cannot be replicated under the current level of AI technology, so even if AI shows high efficiency in some PLC programming tasks, it cannot completely replace the key functions of PLC engineers.
The Role of AI in PLC Controller Programming
AI can not replace engineers, on the contrary, in the process of industrial automation control, the role of AI is gradually changed from a single tool to the right hand of PLC engineers. Especially in PLC programming, AI helps to realise automated code generation, accurate fault diagnosis and preventive maintenance with the help of deep learning and machine learning technology, which significantly improves work efficiency.
AI should be used as a tool for PLC controller manufacturers
AI is also an important development for PLC controller manufacturers. By applying AI technology to the design and manufacturing process of PLC controllers, manufacturers can create smarter and more efficient products.
For example, AI can be used to optimise the hardware design of the controller to improve the performance and reliability of the system; at the same time, AI can also be used to develop intelligent diagnostic systems to help users quickly locate and resolve faults.
Chinese PLC controller manufacturers embrace AI opportunities
In the face of global competition, Chinese PLC controller manufacturers are keeping up with the development trend of AI, such as Huichuan Technology, Delta Electronics, Unionscience Technology and other brands have realised the importance of AI technology and are actively laying out.
AI-enabled PLC can not only improve the level of factory automation, but also reduce the dependence on PLC engineers and alleviate the shortage of industrial automation control talent. It is foreseeable that the deep integration of AI and PLC will certainly enable more efficient and intelligent industrial automation control.
In the context of AI technology sweeping industrial automation control, PLC engineers have not been marginalised, but have instead achieved the expansion of their professional skills in their interaction with AI. They are not only the guardians of traditional control systems, but also the navigators who explore and lead the development direction of PLC controllers in the AI era.
In the face of future challenges and opportunities, China's PLC controller manufacturers and engineers team should keep abreast of the times, and work together to grasp the pulse of technological innovation, outlining a new blueprint for China's industrial automation control.
