Thyssenkrupp and GlobalLogic Form Strategic Partnership to Accelerate Industrial Transformation with Physical AI

• GlobalLogic and thyssenkrupp announce a strategic partnership to advance autonomous robotics and Physical AI in global heavy industry

• A four-way collaboration among thyssenkrupp, GlobalLogic, Method (a GlobalLogic company), and Hitachi America’s R&D group will establish a Physical AI pipeline to support "Lab-to-Scale" implementation in heavy industry

• Physical AI solutions will eliminate engineering bottlenecks, enhance worker safety, and accelerate large-scale green energy projects

Today, thyssenkrupp AG (hereinafter "thyssenkrupp") of the Federal Republic of Germany and GlobalLogic Inc. (hereinafter "GlobalLogic"), a U.S. subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd., announced a strategic partnership to accelerate industrial transformation by promoting the deployment of autonomous robotics and Physical AI in the global heavy industry sector.

This partnership combines thyssenkrupp’s deep industrial and operational expertise with Hitachi’s innovation stack spanning research and development, accelerating digital transformation (DX) across the industry. By integrating foundational technological innovation from Hitachi America’s R&D group, digital strategy and design from Method, and enterprise-grade software engineering from GlobalLogic, the collaboration will establish a "Lab-to-Scale" Physical AI pipeline. Seamlessly connecting on-site data to AI-driven automation, this initiative aims to set a cutting-edge global model for the heavy industry, eliminating engineering bottlenecks and enhancing on-site safety.

As global conglomerates, both companies will go beyond digital proof-of-concepts through this model, jointly developing a suite of Physical AI solutions that convert complex data into tangible business outcomes (ROI). These solutions will enhance worker safety, enable product servitization, and accelerate the global energy transition.

Key Initiatives

(1) Data Intelligence Layer and Autonomous Operations

To bridge the gap between factory-floor operations and management-level decision-making, GlobalLogic will introduce a data intelligence layer based on a Unified Data Layer (UDL) architecture tailored for thyssenkrupp. UDL provides a common data and semantic foundation that integrates operational technology (OT) data from the shop floor with IT data from management systems. This integration is essential for enabling real-time data processing, semantic understanding, and AI-driven situational awareness—critical capabilities for smooth operation of autonomous robotics and drones. With UDL, thyssenkrupp will be able to deploy autonomous remote monitoring cameras "Robocam" and drones into hazardous or complex manufacturing environments. By having these robots perform high-risk inspections and precision measurements, worker injuries can be prevented proactively. Designed to enhance both safety and efficiency, this Physical AI system removes employees from danger zones while delivering high-precision data essential for managing complex industrial processes, thereby significantly supporting human operators.

(2) Accelerating Decarbonization

Achieving ambitious decarbonization goals requires dramatically accelerating the launch of green energy projects and the engineering processes underpinning them. To eliminate existing bottlenecks, the partnership plans to introduce an "Intelligence Platform" that automates the collection of unstructured, complex technical data in offline environments. By transforming complex documentation into actionable insights, thyssenkrupp aims to shorten the "Quote-to-Cash" and technical engineering cycles in green energy projects. This digital acceleration will prevent managerial and technical complexities associated with the energy transition from becoming project execution bottlenecks.

Miguel López, CEO of thyssenkrupp AG and thyssenkrupp Decarbon Technologies

"Thyssenkrupp is currently undergoing the most critical transformation in its history. Through collaboration with Hitachi and GlobalLogic, we have secured access to world-leading digital capabilities. This partnership lies at the core of our strategy to guide industrial sectors toward a sustainable, data-driven future. Decarbonizing heavy industry is a race against time. By integrating advanced AI, we can better manage the immense technical and operational complexities of the energy transition. For the first time, we can transform unstructured data into practical insights at unprecedented speed."

Srini Shankar, CEO of GlobalLogic and Hitachi Digital Services

"The future will be shaped by organizations that can seamlessly harness the power of advanced AI, edge computing, data, and reasoning, and integrate them with deep industrial expertise. Our extensive track record in Physical AI—from servitization to industrial automation and operational intelligence—will complement thyssenkrupp’s leadership in heavy industry and create sustainable competitive advantage."

Nadja Håkansson, COO of thyssenkrupp Decarbon Technologies and CEO of thyssenkrupp Uhde

"Physical AI represents the next step in industrial transformation, bringing digital intelligence into real-world operations. By enabling machines to autonomously perceive, decide, and act, it dramatically enhances efficiency, safety, and scalability. For thyssenkrupp Decarbon Technologies, Physical AI is not just an innovation theme—it is the core driving force behind our future business and our ability to deliver sustainable, high-performance solutions. Our collaboration with Hitachi will accelerate this initiative and strengthen our leadership in next-generation industrial technologies."

Timothy Morey, Head of GlobalLogic Method

"True innovation happens at the intersection of empathy and engineering. By bringing together top talent from both organizations and reducing the risks inherent in complex industrial transformation, we aim to ensure technology always serves the people on the front lines of global industry."

About thyssenkrupp

thyssenkrupp is an international industrial and technology group with more than 93,000 employees. In the 2024/2025 fiscal year, the company generated around EUR 33 billion in sales across 48 countries. Its business activities are consolidated into five segments: Automotive Technology, Decarbon Technologies, Materials Services, Steel Europe, and Marine Systems. With extensive technological know-how, outstanding engineering capabilities, and strong innovation power, the group develops solutions for future challenges and is a technology leader in many markets. Around 3,900 employees worldwide are engaged in research and development, primarily focused on climate protection and energy transition, industrial digital transformation, and future mobility. thyssenkrupp’s patent portfolio currently includes approximately 17,000 patents and utility models, underscoring the group’s leading position in technology and innovation. The company has set ambitious climate protection targets and is actively improving its own energy and climate efficiency. At the same time, thyssenkrupp supports customers and industry partners in achieving their climate goals, playing a key role in advancing the green transformation.

https://www.thyssenkrupp.com/en/home

About Hitachi, Ltd.

Hitachi aims to be a global leader in digitally transforming social infrastructure through its Social Innovation Business (SIB), which leverages IT, OT (Operational Technology), and products, contributing to the realization of a Harmonized Society where environmental sustainability, well-being, and economic growth coexist. Operating globally across four sectors—Digital Systems & Services, Energy, Mobility, and Connective Industries—alongside strategic SIB business units focused on new growth areas, Hitachi creates value from data with Lumada at its core, solving challenges for customers and society. For the fiscal year ending March 2026, Hitachi reported consolidated revenues of JPY 10.5867 trillion, with 606 consolidated subsidiaries and approximately 290,000 employees worldwide as of March 2026. For more information, visit www.hitachi.com/ja-jp/.

About GlobalLogic

GlobalLogic (www.globallogic.com) is a digital engineering partner that designs and builds innovative, AI-powered products, platforms, and digital experiences for the world’s leading companies. Since its founding in 2000, GlobalLogic has been at the forefront of digital transformation, combining expertise in experience design, advanced engineering, AI, and data to accelerate customers’ transition to AI-driven businesses. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, GlobalLogic operates as part of the Hitachi Group under Hitachi, Ltd., advancing innovation through technology and AI to help realize a more prosperous and sustainable society via its Social Innovation Business.

Method Inc., GlobalLogic Inc.’s digital product consulting division, was founded in 1999 and pioneered the field of experience design. Its strategists, designers, and engineers simplify complex challenges and create experiences that improve lives and transform businesses through enterprise-scale solutions and concierge-level service.

www.method.com