Siemens, a global leader in technology and engineering, is embarking on a significant journey towards realizing the potential of the industrial metaverse. The company has announced a €2 billion investment strategy, with approximately €1 billion dedicated to enhancing Germany’s innovation prowess in the industrial metaverse.
The industrial metaverse is a virtual realm that mirrors real-world industry operations. It provides a photorealistic, physics-based, real-time representation of manufacturing processes, creating a digital twin of factories and equipment. This technology enables more sustainable, adaptable, and advanced manufacturing capabilities by using artificial intelligence and integrating real-time physical data.
To demonstrate its commitment to the industrial metaverse, Siemens declared its plans to establish a new Technology Campus in Erlangen, Germany. With an investment of approximately €500 million, Siemens aims to transform Erlangen into a global research and development hub for the industrial metaverse. This strategic initiative will drive Siemens’ growth, fuel innovation, and enhance its resilience.
The investment in Erlangen is part of Siemens’ broader global investment strategy, which focuses on expanding manufacturing capacities, establishing innovation labs, creating education centers, and fortifying its locations worldwide. The company’s allegiance to the Nuremberg metropolitan region is evident in this strategy.
The Erlangen location currently employs around 3,500 individuals and is home to a world-class factory producing critical industrial automation and digitalization products. The manufacturing processes in Erlangen are already highly automated, with human and robotic forces working collaboratively. Through this investment, Siemens aims to create a blueprint for the industrial metaverse, paving the way for sustainable and flexible high-tech manufacturing that can respond to market changes.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz praised Siemens’ investment, stating, “This investment is a strong signal for Germany as a location for innovation and production. The leading-edge manufacturing facility built in Erlangen is a good example of how our economy is moving towards a climate-neutral future—a strong industrial country with good sustainable jobs.”
Roland Busch, President and CEO of Siemens AG, reaffirmed the company’s commitment by saying, “Siemens is banking on innovation in Germany and launching the next stage of digitalization: we’re laying the foundation for the industrial metaverse in the Nuremberg metropolitan region. Here, on the new campus, we’re combining the real and the digital worlds.”
The upcoming Technology Campus in Erlangen will be constructed in the west of the city. It will enable Siemens to stride confidently into the future of the industrial metaverse, shaping the next phase of high-tech manufacturing and setting new standards in sustainable industry practices.
Siemens’ investment in the industrial metaverse reflects its dedication to pushing the boundaries of technology and driving innovation in manufacturing. By creating a virtual realm that replicates real-world industry operations, Siemens is enabling companies to enhance their manufacturing capabilities and achieve greater sustainability and adaptability. This investment not only propels Siemens’ growth but also strengthens Germany’s position as a leader in innovation and production.
With its ongoing commitment to research and development, Siemens is positioning itself at the forefront of the industrial metaverse revolution. By leveraging the power of artificial intelligence and real-time data integration, Siemens is paving the way for a new era of manufacturing that is more efficient, sustainable, and responsive to market demands. The establishment of the Technology Campus in Erlangen is a testament to Siemens’ vision and determination to shape the future of industrial manufacturing.
