The Ekaras X11 platform helps manufacturers reduce unplanned downtime through runtime-based scheduling, automated alerts, and digital task management.
manuAI transforms electrical schematics, PLC ladder logic, manuals, and alarm documentation into actionable troubleshooting guidance, helping technicians diagnose machine issues faster.
"An idle machine costs anywhere between $150-$500 an hour," said an Ekaras spokesperson. "Yet in many factories, the longest part of a machine failure is not the repair itself-it is figuring out what went wrong. At the same time, manufacturers face growing pressure from increasing equipment complexity and the loss of decades of troubleshooting expertise as experienced technicians retire."
To address these challenges, Ekaras has developed two complementary solutions: X11, an intelligent maintenance scheduling platform, and manuAI, an AI-powered troubleshooting assistant designed specifically for industrial equipment. Ekaras' machines are delivered with the digital foundation already in place, enabling customers to take advantage of machine monitoring, maintenance intelligence, and AI-assisted troubleshooting from day one.
manuAI transforms electrical schematics, PLC ladder logic, alarm documentation, machine drawings, and service manuals into actionable troubleshooting guidance. When a machine alarm occurs, technicians can ask questions in natural language and receive recommendations linked directly to source documentation. Rather than spending hours searching through manuals and drawings, technicians can quickly identify the exact component involved, the connector that should be inspected, the specific pin where voltage or continuity should be checked, the PLC signal associated with the fault, and the physical location of the device within the electrical cabinet or machine.
By connecting information across multiple document types, manuAI helps technicians move from alarm to action faster, reducing diagnostic time and accelerating problem resolution. For Ekaras-supported machine platforms, documentation and machine relationships are already integrated into the system, enabling the most comprehensive troubleshooting experience from day one. Support for additional machine builders is actively being expanded.
Because industrial documentation often contains proprietary machine logic and sensitive operational information, security was a key design requirement for manuAI. The platform can be deployed within a customer's environment, allowing documentation, schematics, PLC logic, and troubleshooting knowledge to remain under customer control rather than being transferred to third-party cloud services. This approach helps manufacturers benefit from AI while maintaining control of their intellectual property.
Complementing manuAI, X11 focuses on preventing downtime before failures occur. Installed directly on any equipment (machine-agnostic), X11 monitors machine runtime and spindle activity to automate maintenance scheduling based on actual equipment usage rather than calendar intervals alone. Beyond maintenance reminders, X11 provides visibility into maintenance performance across an organization. Managers can track KPIs such as the percentage of service tasks completed on time versus late, identify missed maintenance intervals, monitor technician compliance with preventive maintenance schedules, and measure the balance between planned maintenance activities and reactive repairs. These insights help manufacturers improve execution while reducing unexpected downtime.
Like manuAI, X11 was designed with security and deployment flexibility in mind. Runtime monitoring and machine tracking occur directly on the device, and cloud connectivity is optional. Manufacturers can operate the system entirely on-premises, ensuring machine data never leaves the facility. For Ekaras machines, X11 will be delivered as part of an integrated digital maintenance ecosystem, while the platform is also available as a standalone solution for monitoring existing equipment.
"Together, manuAI and X11 represent a practical approach to AI in manufacturing," said the spokesperson. "By combining AI-assisted troubleshooting with intelligent maintenance monitoring, Ekaras helps manufacturers reduce downtime, improve maintenance performance, preserve critical operational knowledge, and keep machines running more reliably."
Ekaras will showcase both solutions at IMTS 2026 booth S339448), where visitors can experience live demonstrations of AI-assisted troubleshooting and maintenance intelligence.
For more information contact:
Ekaras Inc.
5512 Viking Dr.
Troy, MI 48085
734-516-8290
sales@ekaras.com
www.ekaras.com
IMTS South Building, Level 3
Booth 339448