Rockwell Automation Champions AI-Driven Transformation to Accelerate Smart and Sustainable Manufacturing in India

7th Edition of "India Inc On The Move" (IIOTM) Spotlights Deterministic AI and Software-Defined Operations

MUMBAI, February 19, 2026 — Rockwell Automation, Inc., the world’s largest company dedicated to industrial automation and digital transformation, recently concluded the seventh edition of its flagship event, India Inc On The Move (IIOTM). Under the theme "The Future Is Here: Smart. Sustainable. AI-Driven Manufacturing," the summit convened over 1,200 industry leaders to chart a roadmap for India's transition to a high-tech manufacturing hub.

The event focused on how the convergence of AI, digitalization, and sustainability will enable India to lead in global semiconductor and electronics production while hitting the goals of the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.

The "Determinism" Mandate: Redefining Industrial AI

A central takeaway from the summit was the distinction between consumer-grade Generative AI and Industrial AI. While consumer AI thrives on probabilistic outcomes, industrial environments require a higher standard of reliability.

"India stands at a pivotal moment... For the industrial world, AI must rise to a higher purpose—being deterministic, explainable, and fully auditable," said Dilip Sawhney, Managing Director, Rockwell Automation India.

Why Deterministic AI is Critical

In mission-critical sectors like Life Sciences or Semiconductors, a probabilistic guess by an AI can lead to multi-million dollar failures. Deterministic AI ensures:

• Repeatability: Ensuring the same input always produces the exact same output.

• Traceability: Logging every decision path for strict regulatory audits.

• Compliance: Vital for meeting global quality standards like those in the pharmaceutical and food sectors.

Software-Defined Manufacturing: The New Industrial Paradigm

Rockwell highlighted the shift toward Software-Defined Manufacturing (SDM), where hardware and software are decoupled to provide unprecedented agility.

Traditional vs. Software-Defined Approaches

• Control Systems: Traditional manufacturing relies on rigid, hardware-centric PLCs. In contrast, the next era is shaped by autonomous, software-orchestrated operations that allow for rapid re-purposing of production lines.

• Operational Flexibility: While traditional lines are often fixed, software-defined environments are modular, enabling "app-based" updates to factory logic without replacing physical infrastructure.

• Data Integration: Moving away from siloed machine data toward a unified digital thread that connects the entire supply chain from design to delivery.

Powering "Viksit Bharat 2047" Through Sustainability

The summit underscored that Smart Manufacturing is the only viable path to Sustainable Manufacturing. By integrating AI with energy management systems, factories can transition from being energy-intensive to energy-intelligent.

Strategic Sector Impact

• Semiconductors & Electronics: Using AI to optimize cleanroom environments and increase wafer yield.

• Automotive/EV: Deploying digital twins to shorten the time-to-market for new electric vehicle models.

• Food & Beverage: Implementing advanced analytics to reduce water consumption and minimize waste during production cycles.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is "India Inc On The Move" (IIOTM)?

IIOTM is a premier industry platform hosted by Rockwell Automation that brings together policymakers, technologists, and CEOs to discuss the future of industrial automation in India. 2026 marks its seventh edition.

How does Rockwell define "Autonomous Operations"?

Autonomous operations go beyond traditional automation. While automation follows a fixed set of rules, autonomous systems use AI to sense, learn, and adapt to changing conditions in real-time without manual intervention.

What were the highlights of the IIOTM Expo?

The event featured 30 demo booths showcasing interactive technologies, including Independent Cart Technology, Digital Twin simulations, and specialized Cybersecurity solutions for operational technology (OT) environments.