Lifelong learning as a driver of innovation

The digital transformation is not only changing which competencies need to be obtained as part of technical vocational or advanced training, but also how these can be acquired. That is why the digital learning portal Festo Learning Experience (Festo LX) holistically links theoretical learning content with hardware and software solutions from Festo Didactic and allows learned knowledge to be tested directly in practice. In this way, learners strengthen their employability in the high-tech industry of today and tomorrow.

Virtual Reality Learning becomes part of Festo LX

Gaining hands-on experience while learning is considered an important success factor for everyday working life. Virtual Reality Learning makes it possible to learn skills that are difficult or impossible to teach using conventional learning formats. The focus is on the method of explorative learning, learning by exploring and experiencing. Self-directed learners can experiment freely, make mistakes and gain practical experience. In the future, Virtual Reality Learning will be available on the Festo LX digital learning portal in combination with other digital learning offerings and physical learning systems. At the Hannover Messe, visitors will be able to experience how they can use Festo LX and Virtual Reality to make learning easier, more interactive, and safer.

Hands-on competencies for automation technology

Learners acquire solid basic skills with the SkillsConveyor. The newest member of Festo Didactic's learning system family is a transfer belt learning system that can be used to learn various automation technology skills and abilities. "This multi-talent supports basic training for various job profiles, like mechatronics or electronics technicians," explains Christian Hartung, developer of mechatronic design at Festo Didactic. Learners start with the basics and are accompanied by the multimedia learning content and videos on Festo LX on their way to their later job environment.

Learning factory with focus on productivity, efficiency, and profitability

Productivity, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness are the linchpin of the new MPS 404-K learning factory, which was created as part of a university collaboration, in particular as a platform for the "Industrial Engineering" degree program. Through the matching courses on Festo LX, learners gain deep insights into economic topics in the production environment and understand how production processes work in reality - from the sensor to the cloud to the SAP system.

Interrelationships between technology and business thus become easier to understand and can be experienced in practice in a learning factory with a realistic infrastructure. With the appropriate courses on Festo LX, future industrial engineers acquire skills in essential key figures, data acquisition, automated manufacturing or IoT applications. The highlight: those who want to learn temporarily independent of location and detached from a real learning factory can enjoy the benefits of digitalization and also carry out the learning paths in combination with the digital twin of the system.

Competencies for dealing with cobots and artificial intelligence

With the increasing prevalence of cobots in the working world of manufacturing companies, there is a growing need for qualified employees who are able to control and manage such cobot systems, some of which are AI-supported, and interact with them in a target-oriented manner. At Hannover Messe, visitors will get an impression of how these skills can be taught in a practical way using a learning factory with an AI-based collaborative robot system. The learning scenarios are related to real applications of human-machine interaction in the industry. For example, workpieces are recognized by AI algorithms, fed into the production process by the cobot or handed directly to a worker as a sample for quality control. The learning solution is easy to operate and is therefore ideal for vocational schools, training companies or research projects.