16 / 48
Flexible processes
The Multi-Carrier-System, developed
jointly by Festo and Siemens, shows how
objects can be flexibly transported using
decentralised sensor and intelligence sys-
tems (cf. p. 20). The innovative transport
system for flexible production processes
can be freely configured in accordance
with specific requirements and transports
objects very flexibly using robust carriers.
A virtual image of the system simplifies
configuration and commissioning.
Innovative solution approaches
How complete, networked systems organ-
ise themselves is also demonstrated by
the BionicANTs presented at the Hannover
Messe 2015 (cf. p. 8). Every year, the
bionics projects from Festo demonstrate
innovative solution approaches for im
portant subject areas within Industry 4.0,
such as function integration, intelligent
components, flexible and adaptive systems
and intuitive operation of machines.
People and technology interacting
Technological innovations and changes
within the world of production also have
an impact on the role of people in produc-
tion. One of the key issues of Industry 4.0
is cooperation between people and tech-
nology. In the future, robots will actively
support people with manual tasks, of this
Prof. Post is convinced: “People and ma-
chines complement each other very well:
people are very flexible, and can very
quickly master a multitude of tasks. In
contrast, machines are often static, but
they are very fast, accurate and powerful.
With Industry 4.0 we are working on the
optimal combination of these two worlds.”
People and machines will cooperate more
closely, while the systems will be getting
ever more complex. This development
requires an intelligent sensor system
which enables protected and intensive
interaction and the flexible interplay
between robots and employees. Machines
can then be safely used to cooperate dir
ectly with people and assist them in their
day-to-day work, for example by taking
over monotonous assembly tasks. The
forerunners were projects from the field
of bionics, such as the award-winning
Bionic Handling Assistant (2010), which
immediately yields in the event of colli-
sions, or the ExoHand (2012) from Festo,
which could, for example, be used to boost
strength when working in production.
Know-how for new working environments
With Industry 4.0, it is not only the de-
mands on production technology that are
increasing; employees’ know-how must
also grow – in particular in relation to
their knowledge of industrial IT. Interdis
ciplinary skills are in demand, because in
the future all participants will cooperate
more closely and everyone will have to
pull together. Some fields of activity that
exist today will not exist in the future, but
new ones will emerge. Training and quali-
fications will therefore play a key role in
the factory of the future. One specific skill
which will be critical in networked produc-
tion is the ability of workers to observe and
interpret signs of change, analyse issues
that crop up, and come up with new, as yet
unknown solutions for them. In terms of