IoT without the barriersBusiness

SCM

ERP

CRM

PLM

MES

Product

Manufacture

DB

HMI
Field Devices

Middleware to connect allWhat’s hindering the worldwide transition to IoT?
It’s the "wall" between data communication standards.

1

The whole world expands when facilities areconnected more easily.

APP→ MID →

SoftwareMiddleware

HardwareIf systems can be integrated more easily without concerns about the barriers
between data communications standards, the introduction of IoT will besignificantly accelerated.
ORiN Consortium is a non-profit organization that aims to promote the widespread use anddevelopment of the middleware "ORiN."

ORiN is in conformance with the international standard ISO 20242-4

ORiN connects across different standards

P.3

ORiN connects across different times

P.5

The backstory behind ORiN

P.7

Ever-evolving ORiN

P.8

ORiN’s connectivity expansion

P.9

ORiN’s applicability

P.10

Guidance for adopting ORiN (categories of membership) P.11
About ORiN Consortium

P.13

Frequently asked questions

P.14

2

ORiN connects across different standards

Data communications standards
vary between manufacturers,
versions and regions.

r

c

i

APP

t ween r

Ba

s be

eg

io
ns

r

rs

s

r
rie

b et w e e n ve

Ba

ri

s
er

rs

APP

re

Bar

n
t w e e m a n uf
a

on

rs

be

tu

rie

The differences in the standards form barriers that make it difficult to integrate systems.

APP"We want to introduce IoT, but cannot connect our various facilities."
Do you have such a problem?
Introduction of IoT into facilities is an urgent task for all

operated according to specific data communicationsindustries nowadays. You may also have the need to connect

standards. The communications standards adopted differ

different existing facilities and integrate and streamline APP between manufacturers, versions and regions, which makes
systems for improved productivity. However, a major barrier

it difficult to connect different facilities and obstructs theis differences in data communications standards. Facilities

introduction of IoT.

are composed of a wide variety of machines, which are

3

gi

o
ns

r

b e t w e e n re

Ba

ri

s
er

APP

Middleware ORiN overcomes
the barrier of differences in standards,
to connect facilities and integrate systems.
System integration will also enable the extraction and visualization of data on current status.

APP→ MID →

ORiN allows data to be analyzed using existing applications.
Identifying weak points in the system enables you to launch a rational facility plan that
includes the introduction of IoT.
ORiN is middleware that can overcome the differences

capital investments and introduce IoT in the most suitablein communications standards between manufacturers,manner for the current situation of your company. Thus,

versions and regions to connect all facilities. The connection

the exceptional compatibility to connect devices beyondof different facilities through ORiN to integrate systems

differences in the communications standards is the greatest

will enable data on the current status to be visualized andfeature of ORiN and can accelerate the introduction of IoT

analyzed with existing applications. As a result, the points of

into the world.

reinforcement can be identified and you can make rational

4

ORiN connects across different times

Keeping all applications and all devices
permanently connected,
ORiN encourages innovation in all fields.
Continuously connecting facilities in response to theevolution of data communications standards.

5

Sustainable facilities can be established without being inﬂuenced
by changes in IT trends.
ORiN features sustainability to update itself and continuously

facilities all over the world. Its high reliability is endorsed byfollow changes in IT trends. Once ORiN is introduced, thethe achievements over the past 20 years and will also be

users do not have to care about which data communications

maintained in the future. ORiN is the only middleware thatstandard will become the next global standard but canconnects across all standards irrespective of area. It will also

continue to use various facilities whether they are old or new.

bring great development to your business.

The history of ORiN is the history of continuously connecting

6

The backstory behind ORiNAs a result of competition of development among manufacturers, there have been too many
data communications standards and programming languages since around 1990.
In the world of manufacturing, a large number of manufacturers

software to learn all of the different languages when an attempthave taken a long time to develop various machines. Thosewas made to integrate systems in different facilities. Such an

machines have adopted different data communications standards

enormous workload can be reduced with ORiN. As the different

and programming languages depending on the period when theylanguages can be converted into one language with ORiN, thewere developed and other factors, which consequently required

software has to learn the language alone.

Manufacturers across the world have developed robots and machines to be controlledwith their software and introduced them into factories.
Company

Company

Company

Production management software

Movement management software

Quality control software

Control

Control

ControlA

B？

Company

A

Robot

？

？

C

？

？

Company

B

Robot

？

CompanyC

Robot

Many programs had to be rewritten to control those robots and machines, which exhausted the system integrators.

ORiN was created to solve this problem.
Company

Company

Company

Production management software

Movement management software

Quality control software

Connect

Connect

Connect

A

B

C

System integration through connection across various standards with
ConvertConvertConvertCompany

Company

Company

A

Robot

B

Robot

C

Robot

The creation of ORiN has enabled interface between facilities of different standards with one programming language.

7

Ever-evolving ORiN
Periodic upgrade and update respond to changes in the IT industry.
Since the start of its development in 1999, ORiN has beenyear after year. ORiN thus evolves flexibly and increases thecontinuously upgraded and updated. The version is upgraded incompatible standards continuously. Thanks to those features, its

response to major changes in the IT industry. In each version,technology never becomes obsolescent and ORiN can integrate

an update is also repeated to continuously connect emerging

various old and new applications and devices as well in thedata communications standards, which are generated almost

future.

ORiN has kept evolving in association with changes indemand for data communications in its history.
It will continue to evolve to support the standardizationof data communications.

UpdateUpgraded for data
communications for3

all systems

Upgraded for data
communications for(ORiN3)

IoT devices

Coordinated withthe previous version(ORiN2.1)
UpdateUpgraded for data
communications for2

FA devices(ORiN2.0)

Coordinated with the previous version
UpdateCreated in 2001 fordata communications for1

robot devices(ORiN1)

1995

2000

2005

2010

2015

70,0002020

2025

65,00060,00050,000

Number of
paid licenses
by year40,00030,00020,00010,000More than 65,000 paid licenses have been issued worldwide (as of 2022)
History of ORiN
1999

・ Launched by the Japan Robot Association as part of its activities toward standardization.

* The project started in full swing with three-year support from NEDO (New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization).

・ Participator in the International Robot Exhibition.

* Tests to verify its connection with the exhibitors’ robots were conducted in 2001.

2001
2002
2005
2006
2007
2011
2016
2020

・ Specifications completed for ORiN Version 1.0.

・ ORiN Consortium was set up to promote activities for widespread use and functional improvement.
・ Specifications completed for ORiN Version 2.0.
・ Commercialized as ORiN2 SDK by DENSO.

・ ORiN2 SDK received First Prize in the Robot Award of the Year 2007.

・ Part of the specifications for ORiN Version 2.0 was issued as an international standard "ISO 20242-4".
・ The ORiN3 project was launched with support from NEDO.
・ Specifications completed for ORiN Version 3.0.

The history of evolution and the track record of operation over more than 20 years

8

ORiN’s connectivity expansion
Development philosophy,"Connecting data beyond the standards barriers to harmonize IT and IoT"
To seek harmony rather than competition is the philosophy

IoT. The connection is merely a means, not in itself a goal. In theunderlying the development of ORiN. A variety of standards havefield of connection of facilities, ORiN aims not to introduce thecompeted for market share in the IT industry. ORiN accepts any

principle of competition, but to realize a world where manufacturers

standards flexibly and thereby connects facilities that have notcompete on a friendly basis with each other and seek technologicalpreviously been interchangeable, to bring new harmony to IT andinnovations in the future, with connected facilities.

Middleware

IT applications

MID

IoT applications

APP

Other middleware

Development languages

Custom applications

BI and visualization

Cloud application platforms

BaSys 4.0

C

MES

J VIND

MotionBoard

Alibaba Cloud

COLMINA

Edgecross

C++

SCADA

Power BI

Qlik/QlikView

Microsoft Azure

Oracle Cloud

FIELD system

C#

ThingWorx

Google Data Portal

SAP Cloud Platform

AWS

ROS

VBA

Tableau

Yellowﬁn

Google Cloud Platform

IBM Cloud

Java

Files

PythonCSVLabVIEW

Text

JavaScript

Mail

MySQL

Oracle Database

COM/DCOM/DDE

HTTP(S)

Ruby

JSON

PostgreSQLSQL Server

MQTT

OPC

MATLAB

XML

NoSQL

RDB

OPC UAREST

Databases

Standard protocols

BACnet

MQTT

MTConnect

EtherNet/IP

DeviceNet

EtherCAT

FL-netOPC

OPC UASLMP

IO-LinkPROFINETPROFIBUS

ModbusStandard protocols

Field networks

Equipment and devices* Those shown above are only some of the existing communication protocols ORiN has coped with, numbering more than 200 types.

For details, go to our website.

ORiN is in conformance with the international standard ISO 20242-4
In December 2011, part of the specifications of ORiN Version 2.0 was issued as ISO 20242-4 and recognized as an international
standard. This is one of the reasons why ORiN is used with a sense of security in Europe and other parts of the world.

9

The list of providers
supported by ORiN
is available on our
website. ➡

ダミー

ORiN’s applicability"Areas which can benefit from data connection" form a starting point for the solution of any challenge
Connecting facilities with different standards is very difficult, and any attempt to facilitate their conversion into IoT often ends
up failing before it is even fully planned. The introduction of ORiN can substantially reduce the burden of connection. ORiN
lets you get on with the identification of challenges based on the extracted data, and the introduction of IoT to increase
productivity. ORiN can also help solve other challenges involving connecting data, such as improving productivity through thecoordination of systems in different factories, overseas transfer of facilities and continued use of older facilities.
▼
Starting point for solving challenges

Areas which canbenefit fromdata connection

DB
MID

HMI
SCM

Barriers between

regions▲

Barriers between

versions▲

Barriers between

manufacturers▲

A variety of products CRM
and services aroundthe world can be connected
and coordinated
ERP

MES
PLM

Field Devices

APP

Areas where ORiN can be an active solution

As well as in the manufacturing industry,ORiN can be used in various other areas such as primary industries and medicine
The range of areas where ORiN can become an active solution is infinite. FA facilities apart, it is used for smart agriculture and smart
medical care, for example. In the future, ORiN will continue to expand its role in the world while augmenting its compatibility standards.

Various medical devices in an operation room are connected via a
network. Information is collected from the devices and displayedon large screens in an integrated manner to assist the operators.

Factory

ORiN supports the introduction of IoT and factory automation into
manufacturing plants and connects a wide variety of machines
used in various processes efficiently to increase productivity.

Medicine

Farming

Cultivation management systems are developed through collaboration
between agriculture and industry. Cloud management is adopted not
only for production but also for marketing activities to contribute to the
exploration of new markets and the development of agriculture.

Development

Applications can be developed more efficiently. ORiN
makes it easier to establish systems, which helps shorten
the development period and improve quality. It also
supports the analysis of operation status and failure.

Once you complete the simple procedures to register for online membership (free),case studies of recent applications of ORiN will be available to you.➡

ダミー

10

Guidance for adopting ORiN
Free membership is available on initial registration
How about becoming a member of ORiN Consortium to learn

information to executive members who are invited to participate

more about ORiN?

in research and development.

ORiN Consortium is a non-profit organization established as

If you are interested in ORiN, we recommend that you register aspart of the Japan Robot Association to support the widespreada free online member through our official website. Please checkuse and development of ORiN. There are different categories

the latest information and examples of use on the website, andof membership, with benefits varying in accordance with theconsider introducing ORiN to your own workplace.

annual fee, ranging from free members who receive the latest

Categories of membership➡ Potential customers interested in information on ORiN

Online membership
Online members receive
Annual fee: Free
LOGO
LOGO

(registration on the website of ORiN Consortium is required)

NEW
NEW

Benefits:① Regular updates from ORiN Consortium② Information on recent applications of ORiN on the website

Regularemail
updates

Information
on recentapplications of
ORiN➡ Companies and organizations that are considering using ORiN

Associate membership
Associate members receive
Annual fee: 50,000 JPY
Benefits:

LOGO
LOGO
LOGO
LOGO
LOGO
LOGO
NEW
NEW
NEW
NEW
NEW
NEW

① Free use of ORiN provider development license and ORiN
kernel license② Use of the ORiN logo on products

Regularemail
updates③ Discounted fee for participation in events organized by ORiN

Information
on recentapplications of
ORiN

Free
development
and kernel
licenses

Use ofthe logoon products

Discounts on
Discounts on
the purchase of the purchase
event tickets of publications

Consortium④ Discounted price for publications issued by ORiN Consortium⑤ Free ORiN provider certification service from ORiN
ConsortiumFree
providercertification➡ Companies and organizations that are considering selling machines incorporated with ORiN

Regular membership
Regular members receive
Annual fee: 100,000 JPY
Benefits: (in addition to the benefits for associate members)

LOGO
LOGO
LOGO
LOGO
LOGO
LOGO
NEW
NEW
NEW
NEW
NEW
NEW

① Attendance at Technical Committee and Public Relations
Committee meetings② Rights to sell mass-produced machines incorporated with theRegularemail
updates

Information
on recentapplications of
ORiN

Free
providercertification

Attendance at the Rights to sellTechnical and Publicmachines
Relations Committee incorporated
meetings
with ORiN

ORiN kernel license

11

Free
development
and kernel
licenses

Use ofthe logoon products

Discounts on
Discounts on
the purchase of the purchase
event tickets of publications

➡ Companies and organizations that would like to participate in the operation of ORiN Consortium

Executive membership
Executive members receive
Annual fee: 250,000 JPY
Benefits: (in addition to the benefits for regular members)① Attendance at the Steering Committee meeting

LOGO
NEW
NEW
NEW
NEW
NEW
NEW

NEW

② Participation in the speciﬁcation setting and researchand development of ORiN

LOGO
LOGO
LOGO
LOGO
LOGO
LOGO

LOGO

NEW

Regularemail
updates

Information
on recentapplications of
ORiN

Free
development
and kernel
licenses

Use ofthe logoon products

Free
providercertification

Attendance at the Rights to sellTechnical and Publicmachines
Relations Committee incorporated
meetings
with ORiN

Participation in
the operation of
the Consortium

Discounts on
Discounts on
the purchase of the purchase
event tickets of publications

Participation
in R&D➡ Organizations that are considering using ORiN for education and research

Research membership
Qualification: Educational institutes and non-profit research institutes
Annual fee:
① Educational institutes: Free
② Non-profit research institutes: 50,000 JPY➡ Organizations that agree with and support the purpose of ORiN Consortium

Supporting membership
Qualification: Public interest corporations and non-profit voluntary associations
Annual fee: Free

How to apply for membership
Please contact by email.

ORiN Consortium Secretarist
Email: office@orin.jp

12About ORiN Consortium
Operational organization

Chairman

Secretariat

Vice-chairman

Steering Committee

Technical Committee① Consideration of the technical content of ORiN

① Approval for the business plan

② Organization and management of deliverables

and business report③ Preparation of technical materials② Approval for the budget
and settlement of accounts③ Coordination of Technicaland Public Relations Committees

Public Relations Committee

Purpose of the organization① Consideration of dissemination and awareness-

ORiN Consortium works to disseminate and raise awareness ofraising activities

ORiN, which is technology to connect industrial machines using
different architectures, to establish the common infrastructure② Operation of the website

technology necessary for the realization of an open data exchange③ Organization of seminars, workshops, etc.

environment for robots and other production systems in the④ Exchange of information with relevant agencies

manufacturing industry. Through these activities, we aim tocontribute to the healthy development of the manufacturing industry.

Activities
Our activities support the widespread use, maintenance and development of ORiN.
Widespread use of ORiN

Maintenance and development ofManagement of ORiN software

We promote the widespread use of ORiN

ORiN specifications

We manage (store, distribute andthrough disclosure of specifications,

We continuously improve and revise theupgrade) standard software thatsoftware and related information on

specifications of ORiN and update them

conforms to ORiN specifications.

our website. We also organize ORiN

regularly to ensure that ORiN continues

seminars and offer consultancy on theto be a solution for the needs of theuse of ORiN in business.

moment.

Contact for inquiries
For inquiries on ORiN and ORiN Consortium, contact ORiN

Organizational chart of the Japan Robot Association

Consortium Secretariat, Department of Technology, Japan
Robot Association.
GeneralMeeting

Kikaishinko Bldg. 3F, 3-5-8 Shibakoen, Minato-ku, Tokyo,

Board ofDirectors

Japan 105-0011

Standing
Committees

Policy Making Committee
Marketing & BusinessCommittee
Technical Committee

Subcommittees
Expert Committees

Certification Committee for Welding Robots of Building Structures

Tel: +81-3-3434-2919
Fax: +81-3-3578-1404
URL: https://www.orin.jp/en/

ORiN Consortium
Entertainment Robot Forum
Robot Services initiative (RSi)Secretariat

13

Sectional Committees

・General Affairs Dept.
・Marketing & Business Dept.
・Technical Dept.

Frequently Asked Questions

What applications can potentially use ORiN?

Why has ORiN been developed?
While industrial robots and machines play key roles in theautomation of factories, they are now commonly compatible
with networks, making it possible to perform their production
management, equipment diagnosis, etc., on PCs with accessto the data managed by devices. However, the specificationsof the networks connecting PCs and devices (such as media
and protocols), as well as mechanisms for using them (suchas API specifications to check and connect communication
types), were specific to manufacturers and the establishmentof systems to combine different communications specifications
involved enormous cost and labor.
In this context, ORiN (Open Resource Interface for the
Network) was created to serve as an open interface
that enables integrated access to devices in a network
environment, irrespective of manufacturer or model.
What technology is used in ORiN?
ORiN provides an interface to access industrial robots andmachines, involving two modules, namely an interface
for applications (engine) and an interface for devices(provider). The engine has the same functions as a standard
program interface and provides an application development
environment with no need to consider differences between
devices. The provider has a communications interface toconnect various industrial machines with PCs and absorbs
differences between communications specifications, which
are different between machines, to offer an integrated accessmeans to high-level applications.
With this technology, application vendors can develop client
applications without dependence on industrial machines, andmanufacturers can disclose the functions of devices without
dependence on client applications.

The following applications may use ORiN:
1. Production management system (display of the operation
status of equipment)
Display data on the productivity of equipment (e.g. production
number, operation time).
2. Equipment operation monitor (simple simulation function)
Visualize equipment operation (3D graphics) and I/O
operation on PCs.
3. Facility maintenance and diagnosis system
Collect and analyze data on the control of equipment(present values, current values) in case of abnormality.
4. Analysis of processing and assembly data
Measure and analyze external sensor data (accuracy,
variations between products, etc.).
5. Switching of equipment operation
Activate programs and change variables and I/O via PCs.
6. Transmission of operation commands
Directly send operation commands from PCs.
7. Automatic program update
Automatically download programs from PCs whennecessary.
What effects can be expected from the introduction of
ORiN?
The following economic effects can be expected:
1. Improvement of manufacturing competitivenessConversion of know-how into data helps improve production
technology. You can also achieve higher product quality andproductivity through automation, which will enhance yourinternational manufacturing competitiveness.
2. Expansion of the robot market
It is anticipated that the introduction will expand theprocesses to which robots can be applied and also promote
the growth of the robot market.
3. Software industry entry into the robot market
Applications to be shared between robots of different
companies can be created on PCs, which can allow thesoftware industry to enter the field of applications for

AP

PLI

CATI

ON

robots. As a result, the software resources that have beendeveloped in various areas can be effectively used in thefield of robotics as well.
4. Creation of the robot engineering industry
A common communications environment on PCs means thatnew robotics service sectors, including robotic engineeringand consultation services for introducing robots, can becreated independently of robot manufacturers. Those sectors

D E V I C E

also have the potential to interact and produce synergetic
economic effects.

14

ORiN Consortium
Department of Technology, Japan Robot Association (https://www.jara.jp/e/)
Kikaishinko Bldg. 3F, 3-5-8 Shibakoen, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan 105-0011

https://www.orin.jp/en/

B 2022.3