Looking back, what first kick-started your passion and interest in technology, and what has sustained it for almost 30 years?
I was fortunate to have started in college, working with one of the first CAD systems developed for design. My first job was with CAD-CAM Incorporated, a leader in this space. It was exciting to be working on early 2D drawings on computer systems when most people hadn’t even seen them yet. From there, the field progressed to 3D wireframe, 3D surface modeling, and eventually solid modeling. Watching these developments unfold fueled my interest.
Today, the graphics and representations are so advanced that it’s hard to distinguish between what’s real and what’s virtual. The industry continues to evolve, and there’s still so much more to come over the next 20 to 30 years. It's exciting because, in this field, you’re never finished—there's always more innovation on the horizon.
What are the main benefits of moving away from 2D to 3D modelling from the customer’s perspective?
It’s a combination of things. One of the most significant benefits is what we call the digital twin. Unlike “digital twins,” which suggest multiple replicas, we emphasize one comprehensive digital twin. This means a holistic approach, where all aspects of a product—software, mechanical design, electrical, and manufacturing processes—are integrated. This allows for faster and more confident decision-making.
During COVID, companies with a good digital representation were able to adapt quickly, simulating changes in their factories or products without needing to be on-site. Speed, quality, and cost reduction have always been key drivers, and these technologies help achieve that. The rise of complexity in products is increasing, but if you can model and manage that complexity effectively, it becomes a competitive advantage.
How has the demand for technologies like digital twins evolved since the pandemic years?
While demand was there before, it clearly ramped up after COVID. Companies with a digital enterprise, which allows them to simulate and represent their products and processes virtually, were able to move faster. Engineers working remotely could still collaborate effectively because they had access to these simulations.
What we’re seeing now is a continued acceleration in demand. Reducing costs and improving efficiency have always been crucial, but now more companies are realizing the importance of having these capabilities, especially in a rapidly changing environment.
You stressed that technically these are ‘a digital twin’, not ‘digital twins’. How close are we to creating a perfect digital twin?
We’ll never be fully finished—it’s a continuous evolution. For years, a digital twin was about ensuring first-time assembly was correct, which has advanced to the point where we’re almost certain a product will go together as expected. But there are still functional characteristics to consider, like fuel efficiency or braking performance, which are harder to simulate perfectly.
We’re also exploring the concept of the industrial metaverse, where you can embed yourself into a product or factory. You can simulate processes in a way that feels almost like a video game, using AI and natural language to interact with the simulation. These technologies will keep evolving over the next 20 years, bringing us closer to a truly complete digital twin.
Siemens claims that decarbonization can be achieved by fully digitizing and automating processes. How does this contribute to more sustainable operations?
Sustainability has always been part of what we do. For example, in aerospace, reducing the drag coefficient for airflow has been a priority for years. We have software that simulates these factors and helps make products more efficient. We also help customers reduce energy consumption in production processes.
One of the most impactful examples is our use of generative design to optimize components like a robot’s end effector. By designing with 3D printing, we’ve reduced the weight of an end effector by 70 pounds, which translates to significant energy savings when scaled across an entire factory.
