ROKLive 2025 brings labs, launches & robotics to Gold Coast
Rockwell Automation has unveiled details of its ROKLive 2025 event, set to be held on the Gold Coast, where it plans to bring together over 500 professionals from sectors including manufacturing, mining, utilities, and food and beverage.
Lab sessions
ROKLive 2025 will feature more than 50 hands-on lab sessions concentrated on areas such as artificial intelligence, digital transformation, machine performance optimisation, and operational efficiency improvements. These sessions are aimed at industry professionals seeking to develop practical skills and a deeper understanding of current technologies and processes.
Adrian Giecco, Regional Director, South Pacific at Rockwell Automation, emphasised the unique aspect of the event, stating, "ROKLive is our biggest event in Australia and New Zealand, and what really sets it apart are the hands-on lab sessions where participants can gain practical experience with the latest technologies. This year we have more than 50 of these across the three days."
Exhibition space and competitions
Outside of the classroom-style labs, the event will also include a Connected Show Floor – an expanded exhibition area designed to highlight new products and solutions from Rockwell Automation and its PartnerNetwork. Attendees will have the opportunity to see these technologies in action and discuss their applications with representatives and peers.
"Other highlights include the Connected Show Floor, an expanded and dynamic exhibition space featuring the latest Rockwell Automation and PartnerNetwork solutions, as well as the FIRST Robotics League Competition," said Giecco.
The FIRST Robotics League Competition will be a feature of the event, showcasing the talents of young engineers and programmers as they engage in robotics challenges. The competition aims to highlight the growing importance of STEM and automation across Australia and New Zealand industries, offering a glimpse into future workforce development and skills growth in the sector.
New product launches
Several product launches are slated for ROKLive 2025, with some products being displayed for the first time in Australia. Among these products is the ControlLogix 5590, described by the company as a next-generation controller with enhancements in performance, redundancy, motion and network capabilities, safety, and security.
PointMax I/O, another launch planned for the event, is a remote input/output system developed with insights from two decades of engineering. Its modular design aims to provide flexibility to manufacturers dealing with increasingly complex industrial operations. The system is intended to support scalable and reconfigurable I/O deployments, offering an alternative to more traditional, centralised control systems.
Also featured will be solutions from OTTO Motors, a provider of autonomous mobile robots for material handling in factories and warehouses. OTTO's technology is already in use by several internationally recognised brands for critical operations.
The event will also introduce OptixEdge, an edge gateway designed for real-time machine-level data processing. When used with Rockwell's FactoryTalk Optix software, it gathers, analyses, and transmits data to the cloud, which can allow users to monitor and assess information from various locations. The stated benefits include faster insights, reduced costs, and informed decision-making.
The EtherNet/IP In-cabinet Solution will also debut at ROKLive 2025. It is intended to simplify communications within control panel devices while improving real-time access to data and aiding faster decision-making for manufacturers. The company highlights this product as a response to increasing demand for greater connectivity and speed in industrial operations.
Networking and professional development
In addition to technical content and product displays, ROKLive 2025 will facilitate networking, giving attendees opportunities to share experiences and discuss industry trends with colleagues and leaders from a range of fields.
Registered participants will be able to download a Certificate of Attendance, which can be added to their professional portfolios to acknowledge their engagement in ongoing education and industry development.