Siemens will build a new R&D campus in Erlangen to develop industrial metaverse technologies. The new Erlangen hub is part of a €2 billion investment programme in new technologies. The Erlangen campus is being funded with €500 million of new investment, and will be a Siemens global development hub.

The new development was announced by Siemens chief executive Roland Busch, alongside German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Erlangen already hosts a factory producing industrial automation and digitalisation products. The site currently employs around 3,500 employees,. Production is already highly automated, with humans and robots working side by side.

Siemens is aiming at creating a blueprint for the industrial metaverse to combine physical data in real-time with AI to create the latest generation of high-tech manufacturing.

Before construction, the new buildings will be planned and simulated virtually. The entire existing factory layout will be optimised and redeveloped using the industrial metaverse. The Erlangen factory manufactures power electronics components and machine tool controls for the machine building industry, key elements of Germany’s economy and industry.

“This investment is a strong signal for Germany as a location for innovation and production. The leading-edge manufacturing facility being built in Erlangen is a good example of how our economy is moving toward a climate-neutral future – as a strong industrial country with good sustainable jobs,” said German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

“Siemens is banking on innovation in Germany and launching the next stage of digitalisation. We’re laying the foundation for the industrial metaverse in the Nuremberg metropolitan region. Here, on the new campus, we’re combining the real and the digital worlds,” said Roland Busch, chief executive of Siemens AG. “Together with partners, we’re developing new digital technologies in the metaverse and revolutionising how we’ll run our production in the future – much more efficiently, flexibly and sustainably.”