Simulation is a strategic capability, says group, not an optional extra

Kuka Group’s Visual Components business has enhanced its line simulation software, stressing how it helps reduce risk and shorten leadtimes.

Since acquiring Visual Components in 2017, Kuka says it has been accelerating the adoption of industrial simulation across engineering, planning, commissioning and lifecycle management.

“Simulation is no longer an optional engineering tool – it is a strategic capability,” says chief executive officer (CEO) of Kuka Group Christoph Schell. “With Visual Components, we are empowering our customers and partners to reduce risk, shorten time-to-market and unlock new levels of efficiency across the entire automation lifecycle.”

Visual Components 5.0 launched as a major update in March, adding that its simulation platform enables high-fidelity digital twins, collaborative planning and informed decision making at every stage. Customers can virtually design, scale and optimise production systems with a high level of accuracy and confidence, CEO of Visual Components Mikko Urho explains. “This approach enables manufacturers to validate layouts and robot concepts at an early stage, identify bottlenecks and optimise cycle times before commissioning, improve collaboration between engineering, production, and management and reduce costly changes during installation and ramp-up,” he says.

The group says it can simulate complete production systems with an unprecedented level of realism. By combining real-world automation expertise with the latest simulation technologies, it says it enables customers and partners to design, test and scale flexible production systems faster. Digital twins, virtual commissioning and collaborative simulation environments are key building blocks of Automation 2.0, it adds.

Kuka cites figures from Global Market Insights, saying the global digital twin market reached USD 13.6 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow to USD 18.9bn in 2025. Forecasts project a market size of over USD 400bn by the mid-2030s, driven primarily by manufacturing, automation and virtual commissioning use cases.

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