Eclipse Automation unveils immersive factory planning platform at Automate 2026

Eclipse Automation has introduced Eclipse RealitySync, an immersive collaboration platform designed to streamline the planning and scaling of factory automation projects. Launched at the Automate 2026 trade show, the system utilizes Apple Vision Pro technology to allow stakeholders to explore virtual production environments before physical systems are constructed. This development marks a shift toward digital-first factory design, aiming to reduce investment risks and improve operational efficiency in complex manufacturing sectors.

Eclipse RealitySync was unveiled at Automate 2026 as a tool for manufacturers to evaluate and de-risk automation projects. By leveraging Apple Vision Pro hardware, the platform creates an interactive digital environment where engineering, operations, and leadership teams can review factory layouts and automation workflows. This approach addresses the limitations of traditional planning methods, such as static drawings, which Eclipse Automation identifies as increasingly ineffective for modern, high-complexity production environments.

The platform enables users to virtually walk through production lines and assess workflows in context alongside Eclipse Automation specialists. Steve Mai, CEO of Eclipse Automation, noted that the industry's decision-making processes have not kept pace with manufacturing complexity, stating that the future of automation must be more immersive and collaborative. The system integrates project data with digital representations of physical systems to provide a shared environment for cross-functional teams, including finance and management.

By facilitating collaboration before physical deployment, the platform helps organizations identify potential project risks earlier and accelerate the decision-making process. Eclipse Automation claims this improves overall confidence in automation investments across diverse sectors such as life sciences, transportation, energy, and electronics. The technology leverages the company's existing expertise in developing high-volume manufacturing systems to support more flexible and informed production planning.