Siemens Fürth: Home of HMI
At the Siemens site in Fürth, everything revolves around automation and digitalisation. Over 1,600 employees develop and manufacture key products for the automation of production systems and ensure that machines in industry become ever more efficient, better and smarter. Siemens has been developing and manufacturing products and solutions for the global market here since 1954. The electronics plant produces at the highest technical level, and the offices are home to the global headquarters for the Human Machine Interfaces (HMI) and Sense & Act business units, among others.
"The Siemens site in Fürth is an important production and development centre for globally successful automation technology, particularly in the field of Human Machine Interfaces (HMI)," says site manager Roland Melzer, who is responsible for the HMI business segment. HMIs are usually screens or dashboards that act as an intelligent interface between man and machine in the factory. For the people who operate the machines in production, it is possible to easily enter or read out information, make settings or give commands. The HMIs are equipped with touchscreens for this purpose. They are part of the standard equipment in production.
"As the 'Home of HMI', we develop and manufacture products at the electronics factory Fürth that are used in production systems worldwide," adds Melzer. "Through continuous further development, we maintain our innovative character and contribute to advancing the intelligent interaction of people and machines in industrial plants."
How Siemens is shaping the future of human-machine interaction
Here at the electronics factory Fürth works Diego Lopez as a software engineer, who is in charge of developing the wireless HMI application and world innovation Simatic Unified Air. The new technology will enable contactless communication with the machine in future. What makes this solution so special is the ability to use your own mobile devices such as smartphones, smartwatches or smartglasses to interact with the machine. The machines are then controlled via the smart device using gesture and voice recognition. "We can talk to the machine, so to speak," explains Diego. Particularly fascinating is the use of virtual reality (VR) goggles, with which employees can check the machine status and see important inspection instructions displayed through the VR goggles. In addition, the use of Simatic Unified Air in conjunction with VR glasses enables remote support, where technicians can provide assistance in real time without being on site.
A revolutionary development from Fürth
For Product Owner Diego, Simatic Unified Air is an important tool for the future industrial landscape: "With this new type of mobile interaction, we can achieve a completely new level of flexibility and improve productivity, safety and, above all, user-friendliness." A revolutionary development that could significantly change the way industry works. An interesting application scenario for Simatic Unified Air is, for example, a working environment in which protective clothing must be worn - such as in chemical plants or cleanrooms. In order to operate the control panel on the HMI, for example, gloves would have to be removed, which is awkward and time-consuming. Voice or gesture control is a huge help here.
The Siemens site in Fürth: a place of innovation in the Nuremberg Metropolitan Region
The fact that future topics are driven forward with passion in Fürth is also evident when it comes to sustainability: Siemens wants to reduce the site's carbon footprint and contribute to climate protection by investing in renewable energies and a large photovoltaic system on the car park roof. As a pilot factory for Siemens in Germany, the Fürth site will achieve the decarbonisation target of a climate-neutral operation as early as 2025 with various measures. The target for Siemens as a whole is 2030. Last year, the plant was awarded first place in the "Carbon Footprint" category by the German Society for Sustainability as a "Sustainability Hero".
Inspiring environment for creativity and collaboration
However, Fürth is not only a place where technology is developed and produced, it also offers employees an inspiring environment for creativity and collaboration. Everyone here has the opportunity to contribute their ideas and actively participate in the development of new solutions. "I particularly like the open interaction on an equal footing with my colleagues, regardless of their area or position," explains Melanie Zucker, who works closely with developers like Diego as an assembly fitter in the electronics factory. "It's inspiring to see how we achieve great things together by valuing and sharing our personal skills and contributions."
Diego also appreciates the freedom at the electronics factory. "If I have an idea that I want to check directly at the factory workstation, I simply take a few steps into production, where I can discuss everything with my colleagues straight away."
The space for creativity is also reflected in the modern working environment. In particular, the management has invested in an aesthetically creative interior design in the development area. There are several visually appealing meeting rooms and a spacious lounge with a coffee bar and drinks. Here the employees were also able to have their say: One particular eye-catcher, for example, is the mural of the Fürth town hall, which was painted by an employee and can now be spotted as you stroll past in one of the corridors.
Siemens as an employer in the Nuremberg Metropolitan Region: a driving force for innovation and growth
"More than just a job awaits you at our many Siemens locations in the Nuremberg Metropolitan Region. As one of the leading technology groups, we offer exciting career opportunities that aim to ignite your passion for innovation and growth. We attach great importance to an open and team-orientated working culture in which everyone can contribute their ideas and strengths.
As an employer, we therefore invest in the training and development of young talent in the Nuremberg Metropolitan Region. We offer a variety of training programmes, internships and dual study courses to make it easier for you to enter the world of work. We work closely with other companies and research institutions in the region to drive forward innovative projects and work together on solutions for the future."
© Tim El-Helou, Europäische Metropolregion Nürnberg, Siemens
