TLDR: Rockwell Automation has announced the integration of NVIDIA Nemotron Nano, a small language model, into its FactoryTalk Design Studio. This collaboration aims to bring advanced edge-based generative AI capabilities directly to industrial environments, enabling real-time intelligence, enhanced data security, and efficient operations in offline and low-power settings across design, production, and maintenance workflows.
MILWAUKEE – Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK), a global leader in industrial automation and digital transformation, unveiled a significant advancement in industrial intelligence on November 13, 2025. The company announced the integration of NVIDIA Nemotron Nano, specifically the Nemotron-Nano-9B-v2 model, with its FactoryTalk Design Studio. This strategic move is set to deliver cutting-edge, edge-based generative AI capabilities tailored for complex industrial workflows.
The collaboration with NVIDIA leverages the open-source Nemotron-Nano-9B-v2 model and NVIDIA NeMo to create a robust AI solution designed to operate directly at the industrial edge. This small language model (SLM) is purpose-built and optimized for FactoryTalk Design Studio and other Rockwell product workflows, marking a pivotal step towards real-time intelligence for industrial teams.
A key highlight of this integration is its ability to support both edge and air-gapped deployments. This is crucial for industrial environments where instant responsiveness, stringent data security, and offline operation are paramount. The Nemotron Nano distillation techniques provide the foundation for an SLM that can function efficiently in environments with limited space and power, a significant advantage over traditional data center-dependent solutions.
The solution is engineered for versatility, capable of running seamlessly on various industrial hardware, including Human-Machine Interface (HMI) panels, appliances, desktop Integrated Development Environments (IDEs), and server or private cloud environments. It is designed to enhance workflows across design, development, production, and maintenance, offering improved reasoning, predictability, and responsiveness compared to existing SLMs. Early evaluations have indicated substantial improvements, showcasing new reasoning capabilities, parallel processing, and key performance breakthroughs.
Tony Carrara, FactoryTalk Design Studio business manager at Rockwell Automation, emphasized the importance of this development, stating, “Industrial automation demands AI that works reliably at the edge and in secure environments. By fine-tuning the open NVIDIA Nemotron model with FactoryTalk Design Studio data, we’re creating solutions that can be deployed anywhere to help our customers accelerate workflows without compromising predictability or control.”
Echoing this sentiment, Joey Conway, senior director of generative AI software for enterprise at NVIDIA, added, “With NVIDIA Nemotron Nano, enterprises using Rockwell FactoryTalk Design Studio can deploy AI in environments with limited space and power, extending AI from data centers into the heart of real-world operations.” Conway further noted that small language models like NVIDIA Nemotron Nano “bring real-time intelligence to where decisions are made—from factory floors to power grids.”
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Rockwell Automation plans to demonstrate this innovative technology at Automation Fair 2025, scheduled to take place from November 17-20 in Chicago. This integration underscores Rockwell Automation’s commitment to driving digital transformation and enhancing operational efficiency across global industrial sectors. As of fiscal year-end 2025, Rockwell Automation employs approximately 26,000 people across more than 100 countries.
