Whether it be force amplification in assembly, intelligent manufacturing or innovative gripping technologies – the production and working environments of tomorrow and the more distant future are at the focus of Festo’s research activities.
On the basis of future scenarios, the industrial researchers evaluate long-term trends in technological and market development for automation engineering, in order to derive specific technologies for future mechatronic systems. Concepts are also initiated and projects generated by Festo’s product management, directly by customers, and as a result of networks and the numerous collaborations with universities.
The research team takes up these relevant issues and further develops them for practical application: technologies are investigated, and potential product and systems solutions are derived, calculated (digital engineering), designed, and tested and demonstrated in laboratories – whether in the form of a futuristic factory for the development of electronics or in product studies such as the Bionic Handling Assistant.
At the same time, the researchers implement their expertise within the company and protect it with the aid of a pro-active patent department. The aim here is to foster understanding of advanced technologies in automation engineering both within and outside the learning company Festo, and to incorporate them into new developments.
Open innovation is the declared culture of Festo. Customers, suppliers and research partners are involved in the research process at an early stage, so that added value is created for all parties and ongoing dialogue is promoted between industry and academia.
We present Festo’s research activities on the following pages. You can also read more on production of the future and on the everyday work of a researcher in our interview with Dr. Peter Post, Head of Research at Festo.
