We hear it repeatedly from manufacturers: Adopting autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) is often the easy part. The hard part is integrating them into the complex ecosystem of software, machines and processes that keep a factory running. At Automate 2026, Rockwell Automation demonstrated FactoryTalk Orchestration software, a platform designed to connect AMRs, production equipment and enterprise systems. The solution standardizes connectivity across the portfolio, including OTTO autonomous mobile robots (AMRs).

Following are five engineering trends this technology illustrates.

1. AMRs are no Longer Standalone Machines

AMRs are increasingly being used for material movement but integrating them into existing factory environments can require complex coordination between fleet management systems, PLCs, conveyors, ERP platforms and other automation assets.

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“This application was developed to address a common problem when companies are adopting AMRs as part of their production workflows: How do I go about integrating these autonomous vehicles with the rest of my IT and OT systems?” said Ara Surenian, Production Logistics Business Manager at Rockwell Automation.

FactoryTalk Orchestration provides an integration layer designed to coordinate these systems using real-time production signals rather than relying on custom programming for each deployment.

2. Workflow Orchestration is Moving into the Design Stack

An important feature of FactoryTalk Orchestration is the workflow builder, a visual environment that enables engineers to create automation sequences through configurable workflow blocks.

“The flow builder is a means [by which] end users can build complex workflows in a very low-code, no-code manner,” Surenian said.

During the demonstration, he showed how users can assemble workflows using drag-and-drop nodes that define specific functions, including AMR missions, data exchange, PLC communications, MQTT, HTTP/REST requests and OPC UA connectivity.

3. Automation is Becoming Event-Driven

The demonstration showed how FactoryTalk Orchestration can manage complete production workflows by connecting multiple systems into a single sequence.

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In one example, a user scans a badge and selects a beverage, triggering an order through an ERP system. The software then coordinates the AMR mission required to fulfill the request, managing the sequence of tasks and system interactions.

A second demonstration showed pallet movement between an AMR, conveyor system and palletizer, with the platform managing equipment handoffs and process steps.

4. Visibility is Emerging as a Core Part of the Control Architecture

Built on the FactoryTalk Optix platform, FactoryTalk Orchestration combines workflow management with edge connectivity and HMI capabilities. This enables manufacturers to create operator interfaces for tasks such as initiating workflows, scanning identification badges or manually dispatching AMR missions.

The platform also provides visibility into mission status, task sequencing and activity logs that help monitor how automated processes are executed across the factory.

5. Designing for Change is a Fundamental Requirement

The true test of an automation architecture is not how well it performs today, but how easily it can adapt as production needs change. “Because the system is built on a blank slate, it can be applied to virtually any situation where you have the need to automate your end-to-end processes—any process where you’re managing material to, through and from the production line,” Surenian said.

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Rockwell reported that FactoryTalk Orchestration has been deployed at its Twinsburg, Ohio facility, where it supported autonomous operations across key production processes, improving drop-off zone space utilization by 70% and reducing overall material handling space requirements by 50%.

Our Read on the Demo: It’s About the System, Not the Robot

Making a robot move is one thing; making it understand where it fits within a production process is another. Engineers designing the next generation of automated systems will need to think beyond individual machines and focus on the pathways and connections that allow them to operate as a coordinated system. At Rockwell’s booth, that collaboration was demonstrated through a fully orchestrated workflow that ended with a robot delivering a drink. And yes, the drink was a nice bonus.