Festo launches an AI-powered Virtual Assistant
The Festo Virtual Assistant is an AI-powered online tool developed specifically for industrial automation applications. It delivers context-related answers to technical queries in seconds, enabling users to move more quickly from problem identification to resolution without the need to manually search multiple data sources.
Unlike general-purpose AI systems, the Virtual Assistant operates exclusively on verified Festo data sources, including datasheets, manuals, technical documentation and engineering tools. It ensures that all outputs are based on reliable, application-relevant information. The Virtual Assistant is designed to interpret technical context, allowing it to respond to engineering queries with a high degree of accuracy.
By consolidating information typically spread across multiple systems into a single interface, the Virtual Assistant simplifies access to engineering knowledge for users in automation, electrical, maintenance and industrial IT roles. It supports a broad range of applications, including fault diagnosis, component selection, access to technical standards and retrieval of product data. Besides offering best practice solutions, it provides direct links to Festo engineering tools for sizing or simulation and helps with machine troubleshooting.
Available 24/7, the Virtual Assistant is ideal for continuous production environments, providing support across shifts, including nights and weekends. This enables engineers to access technical guidance at the point of need, without delay.
Users can describe technical issues in their own words, as though they were talking to a colleague. The more precise the question, the more specific the answer will be. No additional training is required, making it simple to adopt this AI tool within existing workflows.
User queries remain within Festo’s secure infrastructure. The Virtual Assistant complies with data privacy legislation and relevant regulatory requirements, including the EU AI Act.
Commenting on the launch, Javier Güell, Festo Sales AI Solutions, said: “Engineers’ time is best used to solve problems, not to spend hours searching for information. However, increasing system complexity and fragmented data sources often make that unavoidable. The Festo Virtual Assistant helps redress that balance by searching multiple sources in seconds, enabling engineers to focus on their core role of designing new solutions, keeping systems running and optimising performance.”
The Festo Virtual Assistant is available via the Festo website. It is free to use and can be accessed using an existing Festo login or through a simple registration process.
Festo is a global leader in automation technology setting international standards in industrial automation and technical education. The company provides pneumatic and electric automation solutions for factory and process automation across a wide range of industries.
Digitalisation, artificial intelligence and the rapidly growing LifeTech sector, including medical technology and laboratory automation, are becoming increasingly important areas of innovation for Festo. Sustainability, reducing its CO2 footprint, digital learning, innovation, performance and speed are key drivers for the company's future.
Festo products and services are available in 176 countries. With around 20,600 employees in more than 250 branch offices in around 60 countries, the company achieved a turnover of €3.33 billion in 2025. More than 8% of this is reinvested in research and development, and as a learning company, 1.5% of turnover is invested in basic and further training.
Festo Didactic, the company’s technical education and training division, is a leading global provider of technical training solutions, offering comprehensive digital and physical learning environments for industrial skills development.