Rockwell Automation (NYSE: ROK) announced an API-enabled integration between its Plex Quality Management System and FactoryTalk Analytics VisionAI, available as of Aug. 11, 2026.

The integration connects Plex QMS with AI-powered visual inspection capabilities, delivering automated workflows to new and existing camera systems. The company states that traditional visual inspection is only 80% effective and often fails to store inspection history. The combined system records inspection results in the Plex platform to provide traceability, product serialization and inspection history.

"AI plays a critical role in Rockwell's industrial autonomy strategy," said Devin Burke, group product manager at Rockwell Automation. "With predictive intelligence, manufacturers can shift from scripted automation to adaptable autonomy as systems learn, adjust and collaborate across software, hardware and workers."

According to a Rockwell report titled "Scaling MES Across the Enterprise," 42% of manufacturing processes are expected to become AI-supported within the next year.

Separately, Rockwell's Plex Connected Worker recently introduced an AI-powered authoring agent within its Digital Work Instructions suite. The tool converts CAD files and technical assets into step-by-step instructions for frontline workers. Plex also includes an AI agent embedded in its Reporting and Analytics capabilities that generates dashboards from operational data.

"This foundation gives manufacturers the structure, context, and scalability needed to operationalize advanced analytics and AI across complex operations," said Manu Ravichandran, senior product manager at Rockwell Automation.

Rockwell Automation, headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, employs approximately 26,000 people across more than 100 countries as of fiscal year end 2025.