Imagine a future where factories hum with efficiency, robots flawlessly coordinating without human intervention—NEC and Siemens are teaming up to turn this vision into everyday reality through groundbreaking smart factory tech!
But here's where it gets exciting: by blending cutting-edge AI with simulation software, they're not just speeding up production; they're challenging the old ways of doing business in manufacturing. Dive in to see how this collaboration could reshape industries—and yes, it might stir up some debate along the way.
NEC and Siemens Team Up to Supercharge Smart Factory Advancements
- Home (https://www.nec.com/index.html)
- News Room (https://www.nec.com/en/press/index.html)
- NEC and Siemens collaborate to accelerate smart factory innovation
— Fueling digital transformation (DX) in manufacturing via automated robot instruction —
Tokyo, Japan, November 4, 2025 - NEC Corporation (https://www.nec.com/index.html) (NEC; TSE: 6701) has forged a Technology Partner Program Agreement with Siemens Industry Software Inc. (Siemens) to broaden their worldwide offerings in 3D robot simulations. This partnership aims to merge their expertise, fast-track the rollout of innovative solutions across borders, and bolster their combined resources to fuel ongoing customer expansion.
NEC has crafted a digital twin platform that harnesses state-of-the-art tech to assist manufacturing clients in streamlining workplace processes, boosting output levels, and adopting decision-making rooted in real data. This platform operates under NEC's innovative framework known as "BluStellar" (*1), which essentially creates virtual replicas of physical systems to test and optimize them before real-world implementation—think of it as a safe, digital playground where manufacturers can experiment without risking downtime or resources.
Siemens, a trailblazer in tech, champions the shift toward digital enterprises and delivers a comprehensive array of software empowering global manufacturers to swiftly unlock value through smarter operations.
Under this accord, the duo will co-create an automated robot instruction solution that marries NEC's "NEC Robot Task Planning" digital twin service with Siemens’s "Process Simulate" tool for immersive 3D robot modeling (*2). They'll leverage their diverse promotional efforts, including shared workshops, trade shows, and individual distribution networks, to hasten the adoption of this solution in markets worldwide.
Here's the part most people miss: In the past, mapping out the movements of several robots typically involved manual labor from expert technicians, a method called "teaching." This was notoriously intricate, demanding significant time and money—for instance, planning robot paths for just one product line could rack up costs and cause frustrating hold-ups in getting production up and running. Imagine skilled engineers hunched over computers for hours, tweaking every motion to avoid collisions, which often led to delays that hurt competitiveness.
NEC's Robot Task Planning software stands out with its in-house algorithm that fine-tunes how multiple robots work together, using artificial intelligence to produce motion blueprints automatically. On the flip side, Siemens' Process Simulate, part of the Tecnomatix® suite, is a widely-used 3D simulator that lets teams practice robot instructions virtually, without halting actual factory lines.
As a result of this synergy, NEC's Robot Task Planning has been effortlessly woven into the Process Simulate interface, empowering users to generate robot motion plans with just one click. This dramatically cuts down on the effort needed for teaching—reducing what might have taken days or weeks to mere minutes—and enhances the existing automatic path design and robot coding features in Process Simulate. Moreover, it slashes the time to set up production lines, fine-tunes operational cycles for efficiency, supports data-based decision-making, and promotes the exchange of specialized knowledge that's usually tied to individual workers' experience.
And this is where it gets controversial: While this leap in AI automation promises huge gains in productivity, some worry it could displace jobs traditionally held by skilled engineers. Is this the dawn of a more efficient era, or a slippery slope toward over-reliance on machines that might leave human expertise undervalued? We'll explore that tension as we go.
"By joining forces, we're introducing fresh ideas to manufacturing in the DX age, fusing NEC's ‘NEC Robot Task Planning’ digital twin—which drives on-site improvements through AI-powered digitalization, analytics, and virtual testing—with Siemens' international platform," commented Kosuke Hidashima, General Manager of NEC's Technology Services Software Division. "United, we'll deliver benefits that elevate our clients' output and market edge."
"Siemens is honored to help NEC lead globally in robotics, harnessing digital twin tech and AI," added Kunihiko Horita, Country Manager and Vice President for Japan at Siemens Digital Industries Software. "Integrating NEC’s advanced Robot Task Planning with our Process Simulate allows producers to turbocharge robot instruction, cut down on setup durations, and achieve unprecedented efficiency. This partnership showcases Siemens’ dedication to digital evolution and smart automation, aiding partners like NEC in delivering more intelligent, agile, and robust manufacturing solutions to clients everywhere."
- (*1)
- (*2)
About NEC Corporation
NEC Corporation stands out as a pioneer in fusing IT and network technologies, guided by its slogan “Orchestrating a brighter world.” NEC empowers organizations and communities to navigate swift societal and market shifts by upholding principles like safety, security, equity, and productivity, fostering a greener, more inclusive planet where individuals can thrive fully. For further details, check out NEC at https://www.nec.com (https://www.nec.com/) .
NEC is a registered trademark of NEC Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Other product or service marks mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners. © NEC Corporation.
What are your thoughts on this? Do you see AI-driven robot automation as a game-changer for manufacturing, or does it raise concerns about job losses and ethical dilemmas? Agree or disagree? Share your perspective in the comments—we'd love to hear from you!
