What happened at CUBE 2024
CUBE 2024 was a dynamic gathering of industry leaders, innovators, and engineers, all focused on exploring the role of AI in shaping the future of engineering. The event featured the unveiling of SPREAD’s Agentic Engineering Intelligence, live demonstrations of its capabilities, and insightful discussions on AI’s transformative potential across industries. From cutting-edge product launches to real-world success stories, CUBE 2024 highlighted how AI can address complexity, streamline processes, and empower engineers to focus on innovation.
The launch of Agentic Engineering Intelligence (Agentic EI)
At the heart of the event was the introduction of Agentic EI, SPREAD’s latest solution aimed at addressing the complexity of modern product development. By creating a unified knowledge graph that links structured and unstructured data, Agentic EI helps engineers save time and improve the quality of their work.
With this tool, engineers can:
- Access information from fragmented sources with ease.
- Automate time-consuming tasks, like compliance checks or error detection.
- Collaborate more effectively across teams and departments.
- The goal is simple: to give engineers more time and energy to focus on solving complex problems and creating innovative solutions.
A practical look at Agentic EI: Live Demonstrations
One of the highlights of CUBE 2024 was the live demonstration of Agentic EI by SPREAD CTO Tomas Karlsson. He showed how engineers could use the system to interact with data in a more intuitive way. For example, by querying unstructured data like PDF documents using natural language, engineers could quickly retrieve the exact information they needed without spending hours searching.
The demonstration also showcased how engineers could customize the platform to fit their specific needs, allowing the technology to adapt to a wide range of challenges.
Sascha Lobo’s Vision: AI and the future of work
Digital thought leader Sascha Lobo captivated the audience with his keynote on the profound societal and industrial impacts of AI. He compared AI’s transformative potential to that of the steam engine, highlighting both its immense opportunities and risks.
Key takeaways included:
- The urgent need for European industries to increase investments in AI and digitalization to remain globally competitive.
- AI’s potential to alleviate complexity and foster sustainable growth across sectors.
- The concept of “Physical AI” and its potential to integrate humanoid robotics into industries as a key growth driver by 2040.
Lobo’s call to action: Industries must take control of AI’s future by focusing on strategies that amplify its benefits while mitigating risks.
Panel discussions: The role of AI in Engineering
An expert panel featuring leaders from various industries delved into how AI is transforming engineering, offering insights into its opportunities and challenges.
Moderated by Alexander Matthey, VP Marketing at SPREAD, the panel included:
- Dr. Ulrich Nuding (MBDA)
- Valerij Asmus (Mercedes-Benz)
- Christof Kellerwessel (formerly Ford)
- Dr. Christof Horn (Accenture IX)
Key points included:
Faster innovation cycles: AI helps engineers identify and solve problems earlier in the process, reducing time-to-market.
Breaking down silos: AI-powered tools connect previously isolated information, fostering better collaboration.
Balancing technology and people: While AI is a powerful tool, its success depends on acceptance and trust among the teams using it.
Dr. Nuding emphasized how AI can drastically reduce development times, while Valerij Asmus highlighted the efficiency gains and customer retention benefits enabled by AI. Christof Kellerwessel underscored that AI is crucial for breaking down organizational silos and facilitating smoother reorganizations. At the end, all panelists agreed that adopting AI isn’t just about staying competitive—it’s about building better products more efficiently.
Real-world application: Rheinmetall Air Defence’s experience with SPREAD
Dr. Marc Honikel, Chief Innovation Officer at Rheinmetall Air Defence, shared how SPREAD’s tools have already improved processes within his company. By providing instant access to critical data, the tools have streamlined workflows and allowed engineers to focus on what matters most. His perspective highlighted the tangible benefits of AI in real-world engineering environments.
I think it's really good that you can access knowledge immediately. Right now, it is extremely important for Rheinmetall to make existing knowledge available to everyone who needs it, thanks to a digital twin, for example. SPREAD’s solutions are particularly valuable because they can be used immediately and efficiently.
What SPREAD’s solutions offer - Engineering Intelligence Expo
During the Engineering Intelligence Expo, attendees explored SPREAD’s offerings for various phases of the product lifecycle:
R&D Solutions:
- Tools to map and analyze complex system architectures.
- Real-time monitoring systems that identify delays and improve functional maturity.
Production Tools:
- 3D visualization for error detection, reducing troubleshooting time.
- Intelligent planning solutions that optimize assembly processes.
Aftermarket Applications:
- Centralized knowledge management for faster troubleshooting and reduced warranty costs.
- Training tools that streamline upskilling for technical teams.
- Each solution is tailored to address the unique challenges engineers face in their workflows.
Takeaways from CUBE 2024
The event highlighted five major insights for the future of engineering:
Instant access to knowledge: Tools like Agentic EI make it easier to find and use information.
Simplified workflows: Intuitive systems reduce the reliance on outdated manuals and processes.
Unstructured data as a resource: Hidden information can now be transformed into actionable insights.
Integrated AI tools: AI becomes a quiet but powerful assistant, working seamlessly in the background.
Faster product development: Reducing bottlenecks means getting products to market more quickly.
Looking ahead
CUBE 2024 was more than a celebration of past achievements—it was a step forward in rethinking how engineering works. With tools like Agentic EI, SPREAD is helping engineers navigate complexity, streamline their processes, and focus on what they do best: creating innovative solutions.
The future isn’t about replacing engineers with AI; it’s about giving them the tools they need to do their jobs better. SPREAD’s approach shows how technology and human expertise can come together to build a smarter, more efficient world.
