The German Innovation Award recognizes products that stand out from previous solutions, especially with regard to user focus and added value. With ctrlX AUTOMATION, we have created such a product. We have shown that building machines today means developing software and that this means completely new requirements when it comes to automation systems. With its innovative software architecture, ctrlX AUTOMATION is breaking down the classic boundaries between machine control systems, IT and the Internet of Things. For the first time, machine manufacturers can integrate, combine and update functions as easily, openly and securely as they would with a smartphone. Applications that can be programmed in popular IT languages reduce engineering expenditure by 30 to 50 percent and open the door to a new scenario.

Products entered for the German Innovation Award are evaluated according to innovation, user benefits and economy. The innovation strategy must take into account aspects such as social, ecological and economic sustainability as well as energy and resource use. Factors such as durability, market readiness, technical quality and function as well as materiality and synergy effects also play a crucial role in the judging process.