Festo aims to extend the quality standards applied to its hardware to digital product and simulation models. This is intended to enable machine builders to develop and validate automation solutions virtually in a manner that is as close to reality as possible. In the future, such models are also intended to support the development and testing of autonomous automation systems.

Festo has introduced GripperAI, an AI-powered software solution that enables robots to handle mixed, unfamiliar and randomly positioned products without the need for extensive programming, template loading or specialist vision integration. Designed for manufacturers seeking greater flexibility from automated handling systems, GripperAI automatically identifies the optimum gripping point for each item and selects the most appropriate gripper for the task from the end-of-arm tools available. The software enables robots to adapt to changing...

Today, every machine must be analysable in a standardised way - regardless of manufacturer or control system. Festo offers a broad portfolio of software and digital services for this purpose: from hardware-independent applications to device-related functions and apps through to digital twins.

Festo’s AX Smartenance software is improving the maintenance of seven Herrenknecht tunnel boring machines, which are being used to construct the High Speed Two (HS2) rail link between London and the Midlands.