Siemens showcases AI that autonomously executes engineering tasks

Siemens demonstrated generative AI-powered Copilots executing autonomous workflows at the SPS trade fair in Nuremburg last week.

The Engineering Copilot TIA is a generative AI-powered assistant that operates alongside TIA Portal, enabling automation engineers to work smarter and faster by issuing natural language instructions that automatically generate and modify project elements. Delivered as a managed service, the beta version integrates with TIA Portal versions 19 and 20, executing complex engineering tasks directly within the environment. Siemens says that unlike traditional tools that merely offer suggestions, the Engineering Copilot TIA autonomously executes complex engineering tasks — automatically generating and modifying project elements, delegating time-consuming and repetitive work so engineers can focus on high-value activities.

The Copilot offers a range of capabilities spanning code generation and testing, visualisation development, project localisation and workflow automation. Additionally, it provides configuration support for hardware and drives, as well as guidance and contextual assistance throughout the TIA Portal environment. Users can enable or disable these capabilities depending on their specific requirements.

“With the autonomous execution capabilities of the Engineering Copilot TIA, we’re transforming how engineers work,” said Rainer Brehm, COO of the automation business and CTO at Siemens Digital Industries. “We empower engineers to work more efficiently and confidently. The Copilot autonomously handles many repetitive engineering tasks, allowing engineers to focus on high-impact work while development times are significantly reduced. This is crucial for industrial companies in an increasingly competitive environment.”

Siemens is currently testing the beta version together with pilot customers.