A method for monitoring the functional capability of a device system, which includes a power tool (12) and a remote control (13), during operation, including the following steps is provided: a safety-relevant control signal (41) is sent from a control element (35) of the remote control (13) to a first checking unit (34) of the remote control (13), the control signal (41) is arranged in a data packet (42) together with a security code (SC) by the first checking unit (34) and transmitted from the first checking unit (34) to a second checking unit (28) of the power tool (12) by means of a communication connection (36, 37), the transmitted security code (43) is taken from the data packet (42) and, upon request by a monitoring unit (44), forwarded to the monitoring unit (44) by the second checking unit (28), the transmitted security code (43) is compared with a comparison code (VC) by the monitoring unit (44), and the power tool (12) is switched into a safe state by the monitoring unit (44) if the transmitted security code (43) deviates from the comparison code (VC).

Arrangement and method for securely executing an automation program in a cloud computing environment, wherein the automation program is installed on computer hardware in a public IT infrastructure, and wherein the computer hardware is connected via a data connection to a cloud server, where the connection and a dedicated runtime environment of the computer hardware are configured such that the automation program is transferrable onto the computer hardware and its execution can be monitored via the server and data connection, such that the automation program and sensitive information, i.e., recipes, instructions and/or method steps, contained therein can be executed in a protected environment, effective protection against interception is achieved and such that the dedicated hardware can be matched to a possibly pre-existing automation program so that existing automation programs can execute in the cloud or be made available without modification and further system tests, certifications and other costly adaptation steps.

A control hub receives machine operation requests from multiple different machines that are located remotely from the control hub. The control hub selects a remote operator to service each of the machine requests, from a remote operator station. The control hub then facilitates communication between the machines requesting operation, and the operators selected to service those requests, from their remote operator station.

Systems and methods for remotely communicating with and controlling industrial machinery. At least one piece of industrial machinery has at least one sensor for monitoring at least one condition of the piece of industrial machinery; and a programmable logic controller (PLC) directly controlling operation of the piece of industrial machinery and in communication with the sensor. A local computer is in communication with the PLC adapted to query and write data from and to the PLC. A remotely accessible chatbot interface is provided in communication with the local computer, adapted to enable natural language interaction between a user and the piece of industrial machinery. A user accesses the chatbot interface on a remote device adapted to communicate with the local computer.

In a cooking appliance, the appliance generally includes at least one cooking grate having a first rail, a second rail, and a plurality of rods extending between the first and second rails in spaced relationship with each other, each of the plurality of rods having a respective heating element such that the at least one cooking grate facilitates directly contacting a food product with a plurality of the heating elements during cooking.