Siemens LOGO! 9 Redefines Compact Logic Controllers with 800 Function Blocks
Siemens has unveiled the LOGO! 9, its latest generation of intelligent logic controllers, marking a comprehensive generational change after 11 years of market dominance. The new controller series sets new standards in “Everyday Automation” by combining enhanced performance with modern operating comfort and flexible engineering capabilities.
Enhanced Performance and Expanded I/O Capacity
The LOGO! 9 offers twice the function block count with up to 800 function blocks, enabling significantly more complex logic applications. The extended expansion level supports up to 64 digital inputs, 60 digital outputs, and 16 analog inputs and outputs, creating scope for larger and more demanding projects.
The new analog expansion module (AM4) with selectable analog resolution, along with new calculation functions and floating-point number support, enables precise control and measured value processing directly in the controller. These performance enhancements mean greater application flexibility and fewer additional components.
Modern Touch Display and Cross-Platform Engineering
The new touch color display (320 × 240 px) directly on the base module displays more information at a glance, ensuring clear operation and fast diagnostics. The 4.3-inch LOGO! text display (480 × 272 px) features two Ethernet ports and secure communication to the base module.
Software LOGO! Soft Comfort Version 9 is now available as a Plug & Play solution via USB stick and is fully compatible with older projects and generations. The integrated LOGO! Web Editor now supports macOS and Linux in addition to Windows. The new User Management (UMAC) with 4 roles ensures clear rights distribution.
Security and Sustainability by Design
LOGO! 9 is prepared for the Siemens EcoTech label. Secure Boot and secure LOGO! communication protect against unwanted manipulation and unauthorized access. Firmware updates via LSC and factory reset with IP retention guarantee secure and efficient operation throughout the entire lifecycle.
Industrial Robot Production Surges 31.1% Year-on-Year in Q1 2026
China’s industrial robot output reached 143,600 units in Q1 2026, marking a remarkable 31.1% year-on-year increase and confirming strong recovery in manufacturing automation demand. According to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), the global installed base of industrial robots is expected to exceed 5.5 million units in 2026.
FANUC America Launches Ultra-Lightweight CRX-3iA Collaborative Robot
FANUC America has expanded its popular CRX collaborative robot series with the introduction of the CRX-3iA, an ultra-lightweight cobot weighing only 11 kg (24 lbs.). Designed for fast redeployment across small, high-mix tasks, the CRX-3iA can be carried by a single operator and easily repositioned for different applications.
ABB Automation Extended Program
ABB has introduced its Automation Extended program, a strategic evolution of distributed control systems (DCS) designed to help industries modernize without disruption. The program enables advanced analytics, AI, and IoT integration while preserving system integrity and operational continuity.
“Automation Extended delivers exactly that: bringing future-ready capabilities into the systems they know and trust, with security and interoperability at the core,” said Peter Terwiesch, President of ABB’s Automation business area.
Global Servo Drives Market Valued at $13.5 Billion in 2026
The global servo drives market size was valued at USD 13.5 billion in 2026 and is expected to reach USD 21.5 billion by 2035, at a CAGR of 5.3%. Over 70% of industrial facilities have adopted servo-driven machinery for precision control, with Asia Pacific accounting for nearly 45% of market demand.
Key Market Drivers and Trends
- AI-Powered Predictive Maintenance: Around 25% of new servo drives now feature smart diagnostics capabilities, with predictive maintenance becoming a standard offering.
- Energy Efficiency: Over 65% of newly introduced servo drives feature regenerative braking and power factor correction, lowering energy waste by up to 18%.
- High-Speed Communication: 74% of new drive models support EtherCAT and PROFINET protocols for microsecond-level data interaction.
- Miniaturization: Ultra-compact drives with dimensions under 80 mm are now used in over 10,000 robotic end-effectors.
Mitsubishi Electric AI-Integrated Servo Drives
Mitsubishi Electric has unveiled advanced AI-powered servo drives tailored for semiconductor manufacturing, enhancing precision and efficiency in high-volume production lines. The integration of artificial intelligence enables real-time adaptive control and predictive maintenance capabilities.
77% of OT Environments Report Cybersecurity Breaches
A recent survey by Siemens Energy and Ponemon Institute reveals that 77% of respondents report security compromises resulting in loss of confidential information or operational disruption in OT environments within the past 12 months. The survey also found that 52% believe a successful cyber exploit on their industrial control systems is likely in the next 12 months.
Critical Infrastructure Under Attack
US cybersecurity agencies have warned that Iranian-affiliated hackers are actively targeting internet-exposed industrial control systems, focusing on programmable logic controllers (PLCs). The campaign has caused disruptions across multiple critical infrastructure sectors, including government services, water and wastewater systems, and the energy sector.
The Waterfall Threat Report 2026 reveals a doubling of nation-state and hacktivist attacks targeting critical infrastructure, with five of 14 identified attacks directly linked to kinetic conflicts.
Recommended Security Measures
- Eliminate direct internet exposure of PLCs
- Place OT devices behind secure gateways
- Enforce strict access controls and multi-factor authentication
- Disable unused services such as Telnet or FTP
- Maintain offline backups of PLC configurations
- Set PLCs to “run” mode to prevent unauthorized remote modifications
OPC Foundation and LoRa Alliance Partner for Industrial IoT Interoperability
The OPC Foundation has announced a new joint working group with the LoRa Alliance to develop a mapping from LoRaWAN to OPC UA. This collaboration aims to define how data and information models originating from LoRaWAN-based devices can be represented in OPC UA, enabling improved interoperability between low-power wide-area network (LPWAN) deployments and industrial automation systems.
The partnership brings together two highly complementary technologies that play important roles in the future of industrial and IoT connectivity, facilitating seamless integration between edge devices and enterprise systems.
Key Industry Statistics
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Global Servo Drives Market (2026) | $13.5 Billion | Market Growth Reports |
| China Industrial Robot Output (Q1 2026) | 143,600 units (+31.1% YoY) | NBS China |
| OT Environments with Breaches | 77% | Siemens/Ponemon Survey |
| Asia Pacific Market Share | 45% | Industry Analysis |
| Industrial Facilities Using Servo | 70%+ | Market Research |
Stay ahead of the curve with daily updates on industrial automation technology, PLC systems, servo drives, and cybersecurity best practices.