BECKHOFF LAUNCHES TWINCAT PLC++ WITH INTEGRATED AI ASSISTANT FOR CONTROL ENGINEERING

Beckhoff has introduced TwinCAT PLC++, a major advancement in its automation platform that delivers significant performance improvements along with integrated AI-powered engineering support. A central innovation is the full integration of TwinCAT CoAgent, an intelligent assistant designed to streamline control engineering tasks in advanced industrial environments.

The new TwinCAT PLC++ architecture improves control program execution times by up to 1.5 times compared to previous versions. Additionally, the newly optimized compiler enables overall performance increases of up to 3 times, while maintaining the TwinCAT platform’s core strengths: seamless integration, compatibility, and openness.

A key highlight is the comprehensive integration of TwinCAT CoAgent. This assistant supports a wide range of engineering tasks, including automatic code generation in both textual and graphical formats, intelligent code suggestions, and full technical documentation creation. The assistant operates via chat, allowing users to directly access Beckhoff's documentation, configure HMI interfaces, and design I/O topologies more efficiently.

Tasks such as renaming terminals, adding new I/O modules, and adjusting parameters can be performed through conversational interactions. Future developments will include an intelligent assistant to support optimal configuration recommendations based on specific technical requirements.

Together, TwinCAT PLC++ and CoAgent introduce a new paradigm in industrial automation by offering more intuitive and flexible tools for the development and operation of complex control systems.