Schaeffler and Siemens have signed an agreement on advancing the use of artificial intelligence in the industrial sector. Therefore, making joint contributions to shaping the digital manufacturing of the future.

During the recent Hannover Messe, Schaeffler and Siemens showed the fruit of their successful collaboration. Particularly, Schaeffler’s integration of Siemens’ automation solution Siemens Industrial Copilot, which uses AI. At Hannover Messe, Schaeffler’s Special Machinery connects to Siemens Industrial Copilot.

Accelerates AI in manufacturing

The AI assistant makes the work significantly more efficient for the employees on the shop floor. This is because it is possible to generate complex automation codes for the machine with natural spoken words.

“Digitalization is one of Schaeffler’s key topics,” says Klaus Rosenfeld, CEO of Schaeffler AG. Moreover, Rosenfeld said, “The use of AI-based solutions is a decisive factor for making production processes more innovative, agile, and efficient. With Siemens, Schaeffler has a strong industrial partner at its side to accelerate the development and implementation of generative AI solutions in a targeted manner and to generate added value for its customers.”

“Siemens and Schaeffler are pioneers on the path to highly-automated and digital factories. With the ‘Siemens Industrial Copilot’, we are bringing the capabilities of generative AI to the Schaeffler shop floor,” says Cedrik Neike, Member of the Managing Board of Siemens AG and CEO Digital Industries. “Together, we are showing how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing production. From the generation of machine code to AI-based maintenance. Moreover, that is just the beginning.“

Siemens Industrial Copilot: Increased agility, efficiency in production

Schaeffler is already using a large number of AI solutions in various applications. Specifically, the “Siemens Industrial Copilot” is operating in pilot mode on a robot cell from Schaeffler Special Machinery, the Schaeffler Group’s special machine construction unit. Both Schaeffler and Siemens jointly developed the project.

The AI solution assumes tasks such as creating complex programming codes for manufacturing processes. Thus, reducing the outlay for machine operators.

In addition, the “Siemens Industrial Copilot” also has access to relevant documentation, guidelines, and manuals. For that reason, it readily helps employees identify potential causes of errors. Also, the AI-based assistant offers further potential with regard to machine correspondence or validations.

Andreas Schick, Chief Operating Officer of Schaeffler AG, says: “We are now at the start of a decade of efficiency at Schaeffler. The ‘Siemens Industrial Copilot’ proves that artificial intelligence can already be used in production today.”

Schick said with the Copilot, experts on the shop floor can have an innovative digital tool. Thus, they can simplify their work and significantly increase their efficiency. This, he said, takes production to a new, digital level.

-30 April 2024-