The rise of AI agents and physical AI is transforming how industrial automation companies operate, from traditional equipment vendors into providers of autonomous, self-optimizing systems.
Market leaders are transitioning from AI pilots to production systems, leveraging robots that autonomously navigate complex environments and digital twins that optimize all aspects of the industrial value chain.
We analyzed the AI strategies of the 20 largest global industrial automation companies by market cap to identify who is winning the AI race. Based on our analysis, we reveal 3 critical insights:
- Industrial AI leaders are building orchestration layers that connect multiple AI systems. Top performers like Siemens and ABB are building orchestration layers for autonomous systems across design, logistics, manufacturing, and maintenance. Each AI solution complements and reinforces the others with network effects, improving integration across various platforms.
- Optimization systems lead development priorities, while digital twins are emerging as critical infrastructure. Industrial firms currently use AI to optimize specific processes like maintenance, production output, and energy usage. Meanwhile, digital twins are emerging as a core platform to connect and coordinate various hardware and software systems.
- Partnerships are proving essential — even for industry leaders. The complexity and rapid pace of AI development make alliances critical, especially with big tech giants like Microsoft and Nvidia. However, these partnerships also create dependencies on external platforms that industrial companies must carefully manage.
Below, we present the industrial automation companies (including subsidiaries and venture arms) most prepared for AI.
