Siemens has introduced the Eigen Engineering Agent, an AI system designed to plan and validate automation engineering tasks in operational environments.
The system uses multi-step reasoning and self-correction to carry out tasks autonomously and operates directly inside engineering platforms, letting it to complete workflows from initial design through to validation.
Autonomous engineering workflows
The agent is designed to interpret project requirements, generate automation code, configure industrial systems, and refine outputs until predefined performance targets are achieved. This includes tasks like programmable logic controller (PLC) programming, human-machine interface (HMI) setup, and device configuration. It is built to meet industrial requirements for correctness and reliability during execution.
The system connects to Siemens’ Totally Integrated Automation Engineering platform, TIA Portal, letting it access project-specific data like structures and component relationships. This lets it generate outputs aligned with existing system configurations, including legacy or undocumented environments. It can reference control logic, system hierarchies, and component dependencies in a project, allowing outputs match existing engineering standards without requiring manual translation.
The system executes tasks through a workflow that breaks down engineering problems into steps, processes them sequentially, and evaluates results against project requirements. It iterates until outputs meet the specified criteria before presenting them for an engineer’s review.
Industry estimates point to a global shortfall of up to seven million manufacturing workers by 2030, with some sectors reporting that around one in five engineering roles remain unfilled. According to Siemens, the system executes tasks two to five times faster than manual workflows while maintaining accuracy.
Deployment in industrial workflows
In pilot deployments involving more than 100 companies in 19 countries, the Siemens system was applied to standard automation engineering processes. Participating organisations included ANDRITZ Metals, CASMT, and Prism Systems.
Prism Systems used the system to generate and import structured control language (SCL) code, reducing execution time for these tasks. In another case, CASMT applied the system to automate device configuration, code generation, and HMI visualisation in production line development. CASMT reported reduced specialist hand-offs in engineering disciplines and shorter delivery timelines.
The Eigen Engineering Agent is integrated into Siemens’ Totally Integrated Automation Engineering platform, TIA Portal, which has more than 600,000 users. It is available as part of the company’s Xcelerator portfolio and can be accessed digitally.
Industry constraints and workforce gaps
Surveys of manufacturing organisations indicate that while most companies report having large volumes of operational data, data quality and contextualisation remain important barriers.
In addition to general labour shortages, manufacturers also face a shortage of workers with the technical skills needed to run AI systems in industrial environments.
Initial deployments focus on automation engineering workflows, but the system is structured to extend into other areas of the industrial value chain. Siemens positions the development as part of broader efforts to embed AI into industrial operations and software systems.
The release follows Siemens’ previously announced €1 billion investment in industrial AI. The company reports having more than 1,500 AI specialists and over 2,000 AI-related patent families globally, supporting ongoing development of AI-based engineering and operational tools.
(Photo by Homa Appliances)
See also: Cadence expands AI and robotic partnerships with Nvidia, Google Cloud
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