Siemens AI Agent Writes PLC Code, Cuts Engineering Time in Half

AI moves from chatbots to factory floors

Siemens has deployed an AI system that writes programmable logic controller code, configures industrial hardware, and translates between electrical schematics and automation software—tasks that typically require scarce engineering expertise and weeks of manual work.

The Eigen Engineering Agent generates code in Structured Control Language and Ladder Logic, creates test routines, and validates its own output through multi-step reasoning before engineers review it. More than 100 companies across 19 countries are using the system in production, according to Siemens.

Context-aware automation, not generic prompts

Unlike general-purpose language models, the agent operates directly within Siemens' TIA Portal environment. It reads existing function blocks, user-defined data types, and HMI screens to generate output grounded in the specific project architecture. This contextual awareness reduces the prompt engineering and rework common with generic AI tools.

The system also bridges a persistent gap between electrical design and automation programming. It ingests electrical design files in XML and AML formats, detects inconsistencies between hardware specifications and control logic, and automatically configures devices and network topology in the automation project. This eliminates manual retyping of device lists and the errors that come from translating between disciplines that traditionally work in sequence with separate tools.

From machine description to working project

Engineers can describe a machine in plain language—its stations, devices, and intended behavior—and the agent generates a complete project structure following Siemens' Automation Framework. What typically takes experienced teams days of setup work before writing control logic now happens in minutes, according to the company.

The agent handles HMI development as well, generating JavaScript for dynamic behavior in WinCC Unified and supporting migration of legacy Visual Basic scripts. It also automates hardware configuration from spreadsheets, including drive setup and PROFINET topology—repetitive work prone to manual entry errors.

Why it matters

Industrial automation faces a skills shortage as experienced engineers retire and projects grow more complex. AI that can generate production-grade control code addresses a bottleneck that affects manufacturing timelines and costs. Companies using the Eigen Engineering Agent report two to five times faster execution than manual workflows, up to 50 percent efficiency gains in engineering tasks, and up to 80 percent improvement in solution quality. The system also explains existing projects and provides troubleshooting support, helping newer engineers work with legacy systems they didn't build.

Deployment scale and business model

Siemens positions this as industrial AI that acts in the physical world rather than generating text or images. Peter Koerte, the company's Chief Technology Officer and Chief Strategy Officer, said the agent "makes companies up to 50% more efficient in complex engineering work, while making the results more reliable."

New capabilities, including electrical CAD integration and standards-compliant project generation, are included in the standard subscription rather than sold as add-ons. Siemens offers a free one-month trial.

These details were first reported by Siemens in a company insight post on industrial AI and automation engineering.