Disruptive technology is my favorite technology. Every year companies push innovation and product development even though most of these ‘breakthrough’ technologies rarely change year to year or month to month. I have written my fair share of technology pieces that could have appeared in magazine issues in 2022, 2023, 2024, etc. So, it is refreshing when I visit a technology show—annually—and find significant, wholesale technology developments taking place throughout the company.  Generative AI and the Industrial Metaverse Siemens Digital Industries Software promised exciting new tools in these areas in Las Vegas in 2024, and they delivered here in Detroit in 2025. Aerospace, energy, automotive and marine customers, for example, can visualize and interact with the digital twin to reduce errors and improve performance in real-time utilizing visually based data.  “Customers have completely bought into the value of digitalization and running vital shop floor tasks in the digital format,” said Rahul Garg, vice president of industrial machinery at Siemens Digital Software Industries. “Generative AI is a tsunami at this point. Everything becomes so much easier and manageable with the assistance of AI. I keep seeing real-world examples of Generative AI being used in engineering, manufacturing, and design and we’re still only scratching the surface. If your company is not investing in these technologies now, they’re going to have difficulty competing in these markets.”  Workhorse Collaboration Workhorse Group Inc. (Workhorse), an American technology company focused on pioneering the transition to zero-emission commercial vehicles, has adopted the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio of industrial software, enabling the company to streamline activities across its development teams and supply chain as it builds electric trucks for sustainable last mile delivery.

Mowry had one IT guy supporting engineering at the beginning of the company’s EV journey. “For us it was about supporting engineering with a cost-effective solution and a solution providing lower risk because of all the infrastructure that came with the Teamcenter X environment,” Mowry said.  Enhanced Model-Based System Engineering Siemens Digital Industries Software recently announced Systems Modeler for SysML v2 Standard software, part of the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio, to address the complexity of products that feature mechanical, electrical, electronic, and software components.  Systems Modeler for SysML v2 will offer integration with Siemens’ Teamcenter Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software. The integrated solution connects the systems-focused digital thread based on open standards, integrating data and processes across mechanical, electronics, electrical and software. This streamlines the transfer of system designs to downstream teams for domain-specific development while maintaining full traceability. Additionally, it supports comprehensive change management across the entire project, ensuring all modifications are tracked and coordinated efficiently. Aerospace Opportunities Siemens Digital Industries Software has renewed its collaboration with Northrop Grumman to support their state-of-the-art digital ecosystem within the aerospace and defense industry. Northrop Grumman will expand use of the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio, which will enable data-driven decision making across the enterprise, streamline development cycles and accelerate innovation in the design and production of cutting-edge defense systems. Northrop Grumman leads the industry in digital design, manufacturing, and modernization, with more than 160 programs operating in a comprehensive digital ecosystem which includes all phases of a product’s lifecycle from design, manufacturing, testing and delivery. Siemens Xcelerator advances this digital-first approach across Northrop Grumman’s portfolio of advanced capabilities ranging from sea to space.

At the End of the Day, Manufacturing Should Be Fun I’ve spoken to so many individuals’ ad nauseum at this point regarding supply chain issues, political uncertainty and erratic market forecasts, it was an absolute pleasure to focus on technology that matters over the course of the show. Siemens celebrated their Detroit Grand Prix victory, engaged in thoughtful interviews on how attendees were utilizing AI in their day-to-day lives and the audience even helped create an AI-constructed techno anthem for the show.  The AI and Industrial Metaverse is coming as Garg mentioned earlier, “It’s time to put your toes in the water and ride the tidal wave.”