The Industrial Metaverse Is At Hand. What Does It Look Like?
- By CDOTrends editors
- January 15, 2024
In an era where digital transformation is more than just a buzzword, companies have to take significant but careful strides in melding the real and digital worlds. At CES 2024, Siemens unveiled what they consider to be groundbreaking advancements in artificial intelligence and immersive engineering, forging a path towards what they call the ‘industrial metaverse’.
This ambitious vision aims to create a virtual environment nearly indistinguishable from reality, where AI and human collaboration can solve real-world challenges efficiently. Siemens' chief executive officer, Roland Busch, envisions this as a transformative leap for industries and everyday life. “This will empower customers to accelerate innovation, enhance sustainability and adopt new technologies faster and at scale, leading to a profound transformation of entire industries and our everyday lives,” Busch explained.
A standout development is the collaboration between Siemens and Sony. They are introducing a solution integrating Siemens’ Xcelerator software with Sony’s spatial content creation system, featuring a high-quality XR head-mounted display. This partnership aims to redefine the workflow in design and engineering, offering an immersive space for creativity and innovation. "By combining our technologies and Siemens’ expertise in engineering, we are excited to enable more immersive engineering that redefines the daily workflow of designers and engineers," said Yoshinori Matsumoto, executive deputy president at Sony Corporation.
Siemens' partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS) highlights its commitment to democratizing AI. By integrating AWS Bedrock with the Mendix Low-Code platform, they are simplifying the development of generative AI applications, making advanced AI accessible to a wider range of industries.
Siemens' presence at CES wasn't just about announcements; it showcased practical applications. From smart home energy management solutions like Inhab™, which offer transparent and efficient energy use, to collaborations with Red Bull Racing in immersive engineering, Siemens demonstrated its diverse and impactful real-world applications.
The company is also expanding its Siemens Xcelerator ecosystem, launching a Developer Portal to unify access to Siemens and partner APIs, fostering an environment of open collaboration and innovation.
According to Siemens, these developments are more than just technological advancements; they represent a paradigm shift in how industries operate, innovate, and interact with the digital world.
Image credit: iStockphoto/gorodenkoff