Siemens teams up with Google Cloud for AI-based solutions in manufacturing

Google Cloud and Siemens, an innovation and technology leader in industrial automation and software, on Monday announced new cooperation to optimize factory processes and improve productivity on the shop floor.

Siemens intends to integrate Google Cloud’s leading data cloud and artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) technologies with its factory automation solutions to help manufacturers innovate for the future, says a joint press release.

By combining Google Cloud’s data cloud and AI/ML capabilities with Siemens’ Digital Industries Factory Automation portfolio, manufacturers will be able to harmonize their factory data, run cloud-based AI/ML models on top of that data, and deploy algorithms at the network edge. This enables applications such as visual inspection of products or predicting the wear-and-tear of machines on the assembly line.

“The potential for artificial intelligence to radically transform the plant floor is far from being exhausted. Many manufacturers are still stuck in AI ‘pilot projects’ today – we want to change that,” Axel Lorenz, VP – control, factory automation, Siemens Digital Industries, said.

“Combining AI/ML technology from Google Cloud with Siemens’ solutions for Industrial EDGE (Enhanced Data GSM Environment) and industrial operation will be a game-changer for the manufacturing industry,” he added.

The goal of the cooperation between Google Cloud and Siemens is to make the deployment of AI in connection with the Industrial EDGE and its management at scale – easier, empowering employees as they work on the plant floor, automating mundane tasks, and improving overall quality.

“This cooperation will combine the best of both worlds and bring AI/ML to the manufacturing industry at scale. By simplifying the deployment of AI in industrial use cases, we’re helping employees augment their critical work on the shop floor,” Dominik Wee, managing director – manufacturing and industrial, Google Cloud, said.