High-tech meets nature: Intelligent technologies for open-field cultivation
For over 20 years, milking robots with solutions from Festo have been demonstrating how automation makes everyday life easier for farmers. Today, robotics, camera technology and intelligent control systems take over complex tasks in plant cultivation. This reduces physical workload, time, pesticides and costs – while at the same time increasing yields and protecting the crop. This enables farmers to work more efficiently, economically, and sustainably.
Festo makes agriculture smarter, simpler, and more efficient. Our innovations ensure high yields, while robust components reliably cope with dust, moisture, and continuous use – whether out in the field, in the barn, or in fruit and vegetable cultivation. Gripping, moving, or controlling: our systems are easy to install and run smoothly. This allows you to get machines into the field faster, increase yield, and minimize effort.
Are you looking for innovative ideas for automated agricultural machinery – from intelligent harvesting assistants to scalable field robots?
Get in touch with us!Practical fields of application and suitable products
Planting & transplanting
Do you develop intelligent planting machines for healthy growth and maximum efficiency? Our products support you in this and ensure uniform growth and top-quality plug plants. The electric ELGD toothed belt axis separates and positions seedlings quickly and precisely, while the DSNU compact cylinder moves sensitive plants gently. The VUVS solenoid valve can control grippers precisely – ideal for fast and clean opening of grippers.
Spot spraying
Significantly reduce the costs of chemical products and protect the environment at the same time. The CPX-AP-I decentralized I/O system – a communication node between sensors, cameras and valves – transmits data and images in real time. The central CPX-E control unit processes this information within milliseconds and controls the customized valve solution with the highest precision – so spraying only takes place where it is needed. The result: maximum effect with minimum use of resources.
Hoeing
Automated hoeing reduces manual labor and increases precision – in and between the rows. Our robust EMMT-ST stepper motors with the matching CMMT-ST motor controllers reliably ensure the necessary cycle time. With the electric ELGD toothed belt axis, tools can be moved quickly and dynamically from row to row. Our customer H2L is already using this solution successfully in tulip cultivation, where precise and reliable work in confined spaces is crucial.
Harvest automation
Automated harvesting systems increase efficiency and ensure the quality of sensitive crops. The HGPL parallel gripper and the DHAS angle gripper guarantee a secure, gentle grip on fruit and vegetables, while the DSM rotary module enables precise movements like a human wrist. In combination with the HPSX soft gripper and our vacuum generators – which gently suck in products – the result is a solution that reduces waste, maintains quality, and makes harvesting processes more economical.
Sorting
Optimize your post-harvest processes with automated high-speed sorting – for more speed and consistent quality. Thousands of products per minute are precisely classified according to size and quality: The DSNU compact cylinder ensures fast movements, the MSB6 service unit ensures a clean air supply. Communication and control are handled by the CPX-AP-I and CPX-E automated platforms so that sorting runs synchronously and waste is minimized.
High-tech meets nature: Intelligent technologies for controlled-environment agriculture
Our automation solutions get things moving in controlled-environment agriculture. Whether for precise transplanting of tender plug plants or reliable transportation using automated conveyor systems – our technology ensures that every crop has the best conditions. This saves you time and money and allows you to get more out of your systems for controlled-environment agriculture, hydroponics, or vertical farming.
Do you want to learn about new ideas for automation, digital technology, and scalable systems for modern controlled-environment agriculture?
Get in touch with us!Sensitive and precise: automation in the production of plug plants
Automated handling of plug plants is a key step in modern plant production. Sensitive seedlings have to be recognized, carefully grasped and precisely planted – a task that requires maximum precision and speed.
Festo offers customized solutions for this:
- The MultiChoiceGripper adapts flexibly to different plant sizes, and enables damage-free gripping.
- The VTUX valve manifold ensures fast control and high cycle rates.
- The vacuum generator VN ensures reliable handling thanks to constant negative pressure.
- The automation platform CPX-Eoffers powerful computing power for the required image processing.
With these components, machine builders can develop efficient and powerful automation solutions for demanding environments – robust, precise, and gentle on every plant.
Automated repotting: solutions for modern planting machines
Transplanters play a key role in the modern horticultural industry. They automate the delicate transplanting of plug plants from small trays to larger trays or cultivation areas. These systems work precisely and quickly by gently gripping and transporting seedlings, sorting them according to quality, and placing them precisely. Automation is essential to ensure even spacing and optimum growing conditions.
Festo offers customized solutions for this demanding task:
- 2-axis handling systems with servo drive CMMT-ST and EMMT-ST stepper motors as well as ELGD-TB toothed belt axes provide the precision required for the exact placement and sorting of plants.
- Compressed air service units (M series) provide clean, constant compressed air for precise gripping and smooth movements.
- VTUX valve manifolds enable fast and precise control of pneumatic actuators, ideal for fast plant transplanting and sorting.
The combination of clean compressed air, fast control, and precise positioning forms the basis for powerful and reliable planting machines that ensure maximum efficiency and minimum plant damage.
Automated plant transport: increasing productivity with reliable components
Automated plant handling systems are crucial for optimizing the flow of materials in large nurseries and greenhouses. These systems move plants efficiently between different growth phases and processing stations, ensuring a smooth process. Plants are sorted according to size and quality, and then transported to the appropriate stations. Automation reduces the manual workload and increases productivity.
Festo offers robust and reliable components for these systems:
- With our Simplified Motion Series, you can solve the simplest motion and positioning tasks electrically and cost-effectively.
- VUVG valves enable fast and precise control of the cylinders for synchronized movements.
- Linear drives DGC-K ensure smooth transport over relatively long distances, ideal for conveyor belts or transport between work areas.
- PUN-H tubing ensures a reliable and efficient compressed air supply.
These components work together seamlessly to create a high-performance system that minimizes downtime and maximizes productivity.
Automation in the flower industry: sorting and packaging of flowers and ornamentals
Sorting and packing flowers is a special automation task in horticulture. Modern systems pack flowers efficiently for distribution. The process includes sorting by quality and variety, placing in protective sleeves and feeding the packaged flowers into downstream processes. This automation is crucial in order to treat the delicate flowers gently after harvesting and deliver them to the consumer in optimum quality.
Festo offers electrical and pneumatic solutions for this demanding task:
- Servo drive CMMT-ST and EMMT-ST stepper motors in combination with the ELGD-TB toothed belt axis enable synchronized movements of the robot grips, which guarantee smooth handling of the flowers.
- Festo gripper solutions, which are adapted for different flower sizes and shapes, ensure a secure grip without damage.
- ADN-S compact cylinders perform auxiliary tasks such as manipulating the sleeves and precisely positioning the flowers.
With a combination of electric drives, flexible grippers and reliable pneumatic components, Festo offers comprehensive automation solutions for sorting and packaging flowers and ornamentals.
We are your automation partner for sustainable agriculture
In just 1:48 minutes, the video shows how our customers are successfully using Festo's smart technologies to make their greenhouses more productive.
"Agriculture is becoming increasingly digitalized and electrified. Our automation solutions, both electric and pneumatic, enable precise and tactile motion applications in the greenhouse as well as robust solutions in open-field farming. From harvesting eggplants to chopping onions – we are ready to master future challenges together with you!"
Christine Marie von der Ohe
Global Business Development Agriculture, Festo SE & Co. KG
Getting started in hydroponics with the online course in Festo LX
Agriculture today presents enormous challenges, but also offers exciting new paths. One of these is hydroponics – an innovative complementary concept to conventional production. Deepen your knowledge of farming without soil in our online course in Festo LX, co-funded by the European Union.
More about hydroponics