Siemens has unveiled its ambitious vision for the future of industrial technology at CES 2025, taking place in Las Vegas. The company, renowned for its leadership in industrial software, is showcasing how the convergence of data, artificial intelligence (AI), and software-defined automation can facilitate unprecedented flexibility and optimisation for businesses across various sectors.
Central to Siemens' presentation is the introduction of the Siemens Industrial Copilot for Operations. This new feature allows AI tasks to be executed directly on the factory floor, thereby enabling real-time decision-making capabilities for shop floor operators and maintenance staff. Peter Koerte, Chief Technology Officer of Siemens AG, commented, "Industrial AI is a game-changer that will create significant positive impact in the real world across all industries." The industrial copilot ecosystem is designed to enhance human-machine collaboration, boosting productivity and minimising downtime.
In a notable agreement announced during the press conference, Siemens has partnered with aviation startup JetZero. The collaboration centres on the development of JetZero's innovative blended wing aircraft, which is projected to improve fuel efficiency by 50% and aims for zero carbon emissions by 2035. JetZero intends to establish a "Factory of the Future" in the United States, leveraging Siemens' automation technologies to realise its ambitious objectives. "Siemens is giving us the confidence to take a leap, not just a step, in revolutionizing air travel," stated JetZero CEO Tom O'Leary.
Siemens is also actively working to democratise access to its industrial technology through the newly launched "Siemens for Startups" programme, which offers small companies access to its advanced tools and services. This initiative provides affordable access to software and hardware solutions from the Siemens Xcelerator open business platform, alongside collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS) for further support.
In partnership with NVIDIA, Siemens announced advancements to its Siemens Xcelerator platform, notably the Teamcenter Digital Reality Viewer, which enhances product lifecycle management by incorporating highly realistic visualisation capabilities. Koerte noted that this collaboration "will empower customers to virtualize and visualize product and plants like never before," showcasing the importance of accurate data in optimizing operations.
Further enhancing their ecosystem, Siemens has teamed with Sony Corporation to roll out a new solution for immersive design, merging Siemens NX software with Sony's advanced mixed-reality headset technology. This toolset aims to facilitate high-fidelity collaboration in product engineering, marking a significant step forward in immersive engineering.
Koerte also introduced the Siemens Designcenter software suite, designed to unify various engineering resources into a single platform, enabling companies of all sizes to scale their design processes efficiently without interruption. Tony Hemmelgarn, President and CEO of Siemens Digital Industries Software, highlighted this unique offering as "truly open and accessible for everyone."
In addition to showcasing their technological advancements, Siemens illustrated real-world applications of their technology, such as Spinnova's sustainable textile manufacturing, Wayout International's innovative water production solutions, and Desert Control's initiatives in sustainable agriculture, all powered by Siemens Digital Twin technologies.
Meanwhile, HERE Technologies has announced a partnership with Amazon Web Services to streamline the development of location-aware software for automakers, empowering advancements in Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs). This collaboration aims to enhance capabilities in Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and automated driving by leveraging HERE’s comprehensive mapping solutions combined with AWS technologies for faster innovation.
As the automotive industry transitions to software-centric models, HERE’s ongoing integration of AI and machine learning with AWS will facilitate complex navigational and digital driving requirements, promising enhanced driving experiences and safety functionalities. Mike Nefkens, CEO of HERE, described this collaboration as "boosting our ability to deliver game-changing tools that dramatically accelerate this complex transformation for our customers."
This strategic alliance highlights the essential role of location technology in the software-driven automotive landscape and demonstrates how geographic intelligence can catalyse the development of essential automotive innovations.
As companies like Siemens and HERE Technologies continue to push the boundaries of AI automation and location technology, the future of industrial practices and automotive developments appears poised for significant transformation, addressing both operational efficiency and sustainability in various sectors.
Source: Noah Wire Services