Science & Tech · AI · 1 hr ago
Siemens and Nvidia develop AI tools for factories in Erlangen
Siemens and Nvidia are developing AI tools for factory work at Siemens’ electronics plant in Erlangen, Germany.
They want the plant to serve as a model for other Siemens factories and for customers.
Siemens executive Cedrik Neike says AI could raise the share of factory processes that can be automated from 30–40% to 70–80%.
The aim is to make production faster and more flexible, including when products or processes change.
Digital twins and simulations can help inspect circuit boards by creating images of good and faulty boards before production starts, avoiding hours of manual training and production stops.
The companies are also testing AI agents to help people plan production.
The technology could support more productive manufacturing and help keep production in countries with high labour costs; the companies say interest comes from many industries.
The Erlangen plant is being used to show how the approach works, but no broader rollout timeline is given.
Siemens and Nvidia are developing artificial intelligence tools at Siemens’ electronics factory in Erlangen, Germany.
The companies say the technology could raise factory automation from about 30–40% to 70–80%.
The Erlangen factory is intended to serve as a model for other Siemens factories and for customers.
The tools use digital twins and simulations to help prepare quality checks and plan production before changes are made on the factory floor.
Siemens says specific applications could reduce engineering work by up to 85% and production-planning costs by up to 20%.
- Who
- Siemens and US-based Nvidia. Siemens board member Cedrik Neike and Nvidia’s Rev Lebaredian discussed the work.
- What
- They are developing AI tools to make factory processes faster and more flexible, including digital simulations for quality checks and production planning.
- When
- The companies presented the work on 19 October 2026.
- Where
- Siemens’ electronics factory in Erlangen, Germany.
- Why
- They aim to increase productivity and make production more flexible, including in countries with high labour costs.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Siemens announced the technology campus project underpinning its planned investment in the Erlangen region.
Siemens and Nvidia presented AI applications at the Erlangen electronics factory.
Siemens aims to complete the first phase of the campus, including facilities for logistics, services and flexible automation.
Siemens plans to establish further facilities for development, research and advanced technology production.
- Factory
- Siemens electronics plant in Erlangen, Germany
- Automation target
- 70–80% with AI, compared with about 30–40% currently
- Quality-check preparation
- Engineering work could fall by up to 85%
- Production planning
- Related costs could fall by up to 20%
- Planned regional investment
- 500 million euros
- Existing AI use
- More than 100 algorithms in production, logistics, quality control and maintenance
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What people are saying
a historic opportunity for Germany and Europe
Factories must handle change as well as repetition.
And who couldn't use a time machine.