Siemens to Implement AI in Industrial Copilot

The Siemens Industrial Copilot, a generative AI-powered assistant developed in collaboration with Microsoft, is set to revolutionize the automation industry. The technology accelerates the generation of complex automation code and reduces development times, thereby increasing overall productivity. It provides customers with SCL code generation, HMI visualization customization, and natural language document search through its portal connection.

This innovative tool seamlessly integrates with the Totally Integrated Automation (TIA) Portal. This integration empowers engineering teams to quickly locate relevant help topics and swiftly generate basic visualizations and codes for programmable logic controllers (PLCs). Consequently, these teams can significantly reduce their workload by delegating repetitive tasks to the Siemens Industrial Copilot.

In addition to easing workloads, this advanced system also minimizes errors associated with complex tasks. This dual benefit results in shorter development times while enhancing quality assurance protocols, an impactful combination that boosts long-term productivity.

Starting in summer 2024, Siemens will make the Industrial Copilot available for download via its Xcelerator marketplace platform.

The Siemens Industrial Copilot incorporates automation information and process simulation data from Siemens' digital business platform, known as 'Siemens Xcelerator'. By combining this wealth of information with Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service's large language models, software developers are better equipped when creating and optimizing code for factory automation applications.

Grenzebach Group is one of the early adopters currently testing how generative AI can enhance industrial automation engineering processes. CEO Dr. Steven Althaus asserts that "generative AI is a must-have," adding, “With Siemens’ solution, we can address skilled labor shortages while simultaneously boosting innovation and workforce productivity.”

One standout feature is that TIA Portal directly accepts code suggestions generated by AI capabilities within the copilot system itself, eliminating copy-pasting requirements. Moreover, it has the ability to explain structured control language (SCL) blocks or guide users through initial machine or plant visualization creation using WinCC Unified. It also allows engineering teams to search Siemens manuals in natural language.

“The Siemens Industrial Copilot is bringing industrial generative AI to the shop floor and will be an indispensable part of the engineering process in the future,"  says Rainer Brehm, CEO of Factory Automation at Siemens Digital Industries. He adds that "industrial AI is an important lever for combining the real and digital worlds, with the ultimate goal of addressing major challenges such as skilled worker shortages or making industrial production more efficient and sustainable."

Siemens plans to develop a suite of generative AI-powered industrial copilots spanning across various sectors, including design, planning, engineering, operations, and services. By doing this, Siemens aims to transform the approach to automation code generation, resulting in increased efficiency and productivity across industries worldwide.