Tech company Siemens AG has joined forces with materials handling equipment producer KION, to digitalise complex intralogistics processes under a new partnership they say will make supply chains and warehouses “future-ready”.

KION says the partnership will focus on building intelligent warehouses where the physical and digital worlds converge.

Under the partnership, on-site cameras and sensors capture vast amounts of data from a warehouse or supply chain, which is analysed by artificial intelligence (AI), and is the foundation for the deployment of Siemens’ new simulation technology.

“This data forms the basis of a digital twin for individual machines, entire systems and complete warehouses, enabling end-to-end process simulations,” KION adds. “That means logistics companies can virtually test how changes to warehouse layouts impact overall throughput. 

“As part of the partnership, KION will be the first company in Europe to use Siemens’ new Digital Twin Composer software. The solution enables multiple processes to be simulated in parallel and in real time – unlocking a previously unattainable level of efficiency and flexibility.”

KION says the goal of the partnership with Siemens is to make operations more predictable and flexible, while improving productivity and resilience.

“Supply chains today have to be efficient, but above all resilient,” says Cedrik Neike, member of the managing board at Siemens AG and CEO of Siemens Digital Industries. 

“Together with KION, we are using a comprehensive digital twin and industrial AI to turn the warehouse from a physical hub into the digital nerve centre of the supply chain – laying the foundation for greater resilience and flexibility.”

Under the new partnership, Siemens and KION have agreed to exchange selected industrial data.

KION contributes operational data and domain expertise from complex warehouse environments, which will accelerate the deployment of AI-enabled solutions in warehouses and supply chains.