Real-world testing reveals how well standards work when devices from different manufacturers are expected to interact seamlessly. That was precisely the focus of the IO-Link Interop Workshop 2026, which took place on September 22 and 23 in Bad Soden (Germany). With 115 participants from China, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, and Hungary, developers, manufacturers, and IO-Link experts from a total of nine countries came together.
The focus was on cross-vendor interoperability testing. Participants had the opportunity to test their devices, systems, and developments with solutions from other manufacturers, discuss technical questions directly, and identify potential improvements. In addition to the basic IO-Link technology, topics such as IO-Link Safety, profile implementations, system integration, IoT connections via the JSON-REST API, and IO-Link Wireless were also examined.
The topic of interoperability was also vividly illustrated in an IO-Link showcase featuring a Carrera racetrack. There, participants saw how different devices and components work together in a shared application. The showcase thus clearly demonstrated what interoperability is all about: reliable communication and the interaction of components from different manufacturers.
Direct interaction with the IO-Link experts was also of great importance. The staff and leaders of the IO-Link working groups were easily recognizable by their special T-shirts and could be approached directly by participants with technical questions. This led to numerous discussions on specific issues related to development and application.
In addition, the workshop provided an opportunity to discuss future requirements and issues related to IO-Link. On the second day of the event, the IO-Link experts discussed selected topics with the participants in small groups. Practical experience and requirements from developers and users provide the IO-Link Working Groups with valuable input for their ongoing technical work.