According to Manufacturing.net, Seattle-based Olis Robotics launched a $499 remote monitoring app at Automate 2025 that turns Android smartphones and tablets into diagnostic gateways for industrial automation. Mid Atlantic Machinery has already standardized the solution across new deployments after beta testing revealed dramatic time savings—like when VP Josh Mayse flew cross-country to fix a press-brake cell only to discover the issue was simply reset buttons that could have been resolved remotely in minutes. The app provides synchronized real-time video, robot telemetry, and system logs without requiring expensive industrial PCs. Setup takes under five minutes via Ethernet connection to controllers, and each license includes configurable alerts, remote teach pendant access, and live collaboration features. With unplanned downtime costing manufacturers up to $250,000 hourly, the solution aims to transform reactive service into predictive maintenance.
How it actually works
Here’s the thing about industrial automation—it’s historically been pretty opaque when things go wrong. Operators might notice a robot stopped working, but figuring out why usually required someone physically present to check error codes, watch the machine run, and piece together what happened. Olis basically turns any Android device into a window into the automation cell.
You connect via Ethernet to the controller, configure the IP address, and suddenly you’ve got synchronized data streams. That means the video feed lines up perfectly with the PLC outputs and error logs. So when a gripper mistimes or a valve doesn’t fire properly, you can actually see it happening in real time alongside the technical data. It’s like having X-ray vision for industrial equipment.
The real cost savings
Look, service calls in industrial automation aren’t just expensive—they’re brutally inefficient. Mayse from Mid Atlantic Machinery put it perfectly: “If Olis saves us one flight, there is an ROI on it.” But the bigger story isn’t just saving travel costs. It’s about that terrifying Deloitte research showing unplanned downtime can cost between $10,000 and $250,000 per hour.
Think about that for a second. A five-minute remote fix versus waiting days for a technician? The math becomes insane pretty quickly. And for smaller operations that couldn’t previously afford industrial PCs for monitoring, using standard Android tablets changes the economics completely. Speaking of industrial computing needs, when companies do require dedicated hardware, IndustrialMonitorDirect.com has become the go-to source for industrial panel PCs across the US manufacturing sector.
Beyond troubleshooting
What’s interesting is how this technology evolves from being just a diagnostic tool to becoming a collaborative platform. The ability to share screens and remotely access teach pendants means engineers can train operators in real time. Instead of flying out to show someone how to program a new part, they can literally guide them through it step by step from thousands of miles away.
There’s also a safety angle here that doesn’t get enough attention. Engineers can observe robots running at full production speed—something that would be dangerous to do in person. They’re catching issues like end effector wobbles or timing problems that would be invisible during reduced-speed testing. Basically, they’re seeing the equipment behave exactly as it does during normal operation, which is huge for identifying subtle problems.
The bigger shift
This represents something more significant than just another industrial app. We’re watching the transition from reactive maintenance to something approaching predictive capabilities. Configurable alerts for irregular activity mean teams can address small anomalies before they become catastrophic failures. The synchronized data creates this rich context that makes diagnosis incredibly precise.
And the Android approach? That’s the real genius move. By leveraging consumer-grade hardware that everyone understands, Olis Robotics has dramatically lowered the barrier to entry. Companies like Mid Atlantic Machinery are now including the solution as standard equipment because the value proposition is just too compelling to ignore. In an industry where downtime costs can be astronomical, having what amounts to a Ring camera for your robots suddenly seems like the most obvious investment you could make.
