9 October 2026
Uncategorised

emaAI & Major Release 2.6: The next step towards intelligent digital factory planning

Digital factory planning is evolving at a rapid pace. With the new Major Release 2.6 of the ema Software Suite and the introduction of emaAI IMK is setting new standards for faster, smarter and more efficient work and process planning. In future, companies will be able to use existing process descriptions, layout data and product information to automatically generate simulation models and drastically reduce planning efforts. At the same time, Release 2.6 expands the possibilities of digital planning with numerous functions for robotics, material flow, workforce planning and virtual reality.

Here’s what emaAI and its new features have to offer

✅ emaAI reduces the effort involved in process modelling by up to 80 per cent, by automatically translating process descriptions into simulation models.

✅ Release 2.6 specifically enhances the ema Software Suite for modern production environments featuring humanoid robots, intelligent automation functions and new planning tools.

✅ Companies can move from existing data to validated simulations much more quickly, which enables potential areas for optimisation to be identified at an earlier stage and decisions to be made on a more informed basis.

From process description to simulation in just a few minutes

In many companies, process planning still begins with workshops, manual data collection and the time-consuming modelling of individual processes. Although process descriptions, work instructions or layout data are often already available, this information frequently has to be manually transferred into simulation models all over again.

This is exactly where emaAI . The new AI-powered extension to the ema Software Suite utilises existing information and automatically transforms it into simulated work processes. This eliminates a key bottleneck in digital factory planning: time-consuming modelling.

„Your process planning takes weeks. emaAI reduces it to minutes."

emaAI: Artificial intelligence for digital work planning

Simulation models are automatically generated from existing data

With emaAI, companies can upload process descriptions as TXT, PDF, JPG or PNG files, or simply describe procedures in natural language. The AI analyses the information and automatically generates the appropriate process steps within an existing 3D scenario in the ema Software Suite.

This means:

Process descriptions do not need to be modelled again.
Tasks are automatically recognised and assigned.
Simulation models are immediately available for further analysis.
The number of clicks required is significantly reduced.

This is of particular interest to companies that already have extensive documentation and would finally like to put it to productive use in simulation.

The AI assistant for planners

In addition to automatic process generation, emaAI will soon feature an integrated AI assistant. This assistant answers questions in natural language, provides support based on ergonomic expertise and helps select suitable planning approaches. This significantly lowers the barrier to entry, particularly for new users.

„From the prompt to the finished simulation: emaAI takes care of precisely the work that used to take up most of the time."

Major Release 2.6: Improved performance for modern production systems

With the release of version 2.6, IMK is expanding the ema Software Suite to include numerous functions that address the latest developments in production, robotics and logistics.

Humanoid robots are making their way into planning

A particular highlight is the integration of humanoid robots. The first of these is the Unitree G1, which can be taken into account directly within simulation scenarios in future.

For businesses, this opens up entirely new possibilities when it comes to evaluating future automation concepts, particularly in areas where traditional industrial robots reach their limits.

Two-person handling

Many industrial processes require the coordinated collaboration of several employees. With the new two-person handling system, such processes can be simulated and analysed realistically in future.

Intelligent automation

Further new features assist users with modelling:

Automatic activity naming
Intelligent grip point detection
Parametric material-handling objects
Dynamic visualisation of material flow

This makes creating complex scenarios easier, quicker and, at the same time, more consistent.

Greater transparency in production and logistics

Holistic planning rather than isolated solutions

Release 2.6 places particular emphasis on the integrated management of production and logistics processes.

New features include:

Staff planning
Transport planning
Container and load carrier planning
Bidirectional ema-TiCon interface
Advanced MTM time evaluation for pulling, pushing and manipulators

This provides companies with a comprehensive planning framework for people, materials and automation within a single simulation environment.

There have also been significant developments in the field of virtual reality. emaVR now supports SteamVR and OpenXR, which means that modern XR hardware can be integrated even more flexibly into the planning process.

„Digital factory planning is particularly valuable when it is available quickly. This is precisely what emaAI and Release 2.6 deliver.“

Advantages at a glance

With emaAI

Up to 80 % less effort required for process design
Automatic conversion of existing documentation into simulation models

AI-powered support from an intelligent assistant

Lower barriers to entry for new users

With Major Release 2.6

Integration of humanoid robots
Realistic two-person simulations
Automatic activity naming
Intelligent grip point detection
Improved material flow planning
Extended MTM assessment
Optimised VR support
Integrated staff and logistics planning

Conclusion: The dawn of a new generation of process planning

With emaAI and the Major Release 2.6 IMK is taking the next logical step towards AI-supported work and process planning.

Whilst emaAI drastically speeds up the process of turning existing information into a finished simulation, Release 2.6 offers numerous enhancements for robotics, logistics, ergonomics and virtual planning. The result is faster decision-making, reduced modelling effort and greater planning reliability for businesses of all sizes.

For production planners, industrial engineers and digitalisation teams, this means one thing above all else: more time for optimisation and less time spent on manual modelling.

Experience emaAI live now

Would you like to find out how your existing process descriptions can be turned into a simulation model in just a few minutes?

👉 Book a personalised demo now or try emaAI live:

What is emaAI?

emaAI is an AI extension of the ema Software Suite that automatically translates process descriptions into simulation models within existing 3D scenarios.

What data can be used?

These include process descriptions, workflows, PDFs, images and text-based inputs via prompts.

How much could be saved?

The effort involved in process design can be reduced by up to 80 per cent.

Does emaAI require its own AI infrastructure?

No. emaAI is now available as a „Bring Your Own AI“ option for businesses with their own infrastructure, and will soon be available as a managed cloud solution.

Who is Release 2.6 particularly suitable for?

For production planners, factory planners, industrial engineers, logistics managers and companies wishing to make digital factory planning and process simulation more efficient.

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9 October 2026