Algoryx launches OpenPLX, a modelling language for physics-enabled digital twins

OpenPLX is a new and innovative machine modelling language with the potential to transform engineering for manufacturing, robotics, and machine autonomy. Its development has been strongly propelled by the award-winning ITEA project AIToC, which provided a vital platform for advancing the format and demonstrating its power across real-world industrial use cases.

Swedish software company Algoryx was one of the partners in the AIToC (Artificial Intelligence supported Tool Chain in Manufacturing Engineering) project that ran from 2020 to 2024. The AIToC project aimed to develop and adapt software tools for digitalised, automated, and AI-supported manufacturing engineering to speed up changes in product development and better deal with variability.

Algoryx’s main role in AIToC was to develop and integrate modelling formats and protocols for visual system simulation and machine learning. This work has played an important part in the creation of OpenPLX, a new open-source modelling format for reusable, extendable simulation models. “The AIToC project gave us the opportunity to work directly with the industry, understand their challenges and develop a solution that reflects their needs and lowers the barrier for working with physics-based models.”, says Sandra Ålstig, Senior R&D Engineer at Algoryx.

OpenPLX: a modeling language for machines

The modeling format that went under the provisional name “BRICK” during the AIToC project has since been further developed and expanded by the Algoryx team. It has now been launched publicly under the name OpenPLX.

OpenPLX is an open-source modelling language with a unique ability to unify CAD geometries, physics, control systems, and AI into a single collaborative format. Unlike rigid simulation frameworks, OpenPLX is fundamentally a human-readable language with a simple and intuitive syntax. Born from the frustrations of engineers and developed in close collaboration with AIToC project partners and other Algoryx partners, OpenPLX enables a single source of truth: one model that can evolve through every development phase, from early prototyping to control system testing. “Engineers wanted simulation models that are open, understandable, and reusable across tools and teams. OpenPLX is the result”, says Fredrik Nordfeldth, Principal R&D Engineer at Algoryx.

Learn more about OpenPLX in this video created by Algoryx:

Designed for collaboration - human and AI

While OpenPLX was invented to solve key pain points of today’s manufacturing and machine design engineers, it is also very much designed with emerging AI methods in mind. “As machines and robots become more intelligent, autonomous, and capable, the way we design them must also evolve”, says Fredrik Nordfeldth. “OpenPLX will democratise simulation and simulation modeling. It will empower engineers with validated and ready-to-use components for digital twins”, he says.

From open format to open ecosystem

Algoryx’s vision for OpenPLX is to grow it into a comprehensive open-source modeling ecosystem, with shared ontologies and libraries for every domain where physical machines matter. An invitation is extended to the open-source and engineering communities to contribute new bundles, tooling, and integrations. “This open source language is developed for reusability and third-party adaption”, says Jonas Andersson, Principal R&D Engineer at Algoryx.

More information

OpenPLX is available as open source at openplx.org, where you’ll find documentation, example models, and links to the growing ecosystem.