Rockwell Automation has been selected by Aalo Atomics to supply the control and information systems for its Aalo-X critical test reactor, including its ControlLogix platform, spanning the project from design through operation.
The reactor is a testbed for Aalo's modular nuclear plants, which are aimed at powering AI data centers, and sits inside the U.S. Department of Energy's Reactor Pilot Program to speed up development and licensing of advanced reactor designs. Aalo reached criticality on its pilot unit ahead of a July 4 deadline.
It's an unusual venue for an automation vendor best known for car plants and warehouses — but it underlines how the AI buildout is pulling industrial control specialists into new industries, with reliability requirements in a different league than a production line.
