They are agile, nimble and can even fly loops and tight turns. The five BionicSwifts can move in a coordinated and autonomous manner in a defined airspace by interacting with a radio-based indoor GPS. 

The mobile robot system can recognize objects, grasp them adaptively and work together with humans. 

Superconductors are materials which below a certain temperature can “freeze” the field of a permanent magnet at a predefined distance and can thus hold it in suspension. With its three current SupraMotion exhibits, Festo is further extending the spectrum of possible applications:

•    SupraMultitool: performing several functions simultaneously with only one cryostat

Take a look behind the scenes and dive into the world of the Bionic Learning Network and the development of the BionicSoftHand. The pneumatic robot hand is modelled on the human hand and can learn through artificial intelligence to grasp different objects and turn them into a desired position.  

Whether free and flexible movements or defined sequences, the modular pneumatic lightweight robot can be used for a wide variety of applications in the context of human–robot collaboration depending on the composition and mounted gripper. 

The pneumatic robot hand is modelled on the human hand and can learn through artificial intelligence to grasp different objects and turn them into a desired position.

The marine planarian, cuttlefish and Nile perch have one thing in common: in order to propel themselves, they use their fins to generate a continuous wave, which advances along their entire length. With this so-called undulating fin movement, the BionicFinWave also manoeuvres through a pipe system made of acrylic glass.

Superconductors are materials which below a certain temperature can “freeze” the field of a permanent magnet at a predefined distance and can thus hold it in suspension. With the SupraMotor Festo shows a superconductive compact claw-pole motor with solid-body cooling.

Superconductors are materials which below a certain temperature can “freeze” the field of a permanent magnet at a predefined distance and can thus hold it in suspension. With its three current SupraMotion exhibits, Festo is further extending the spectrum of possible applications:

•    SupraTransport: movement with a large levitation gap

•    SupraSensor: measuring and weighing without contact

Bionics4Education, a holistic training concept, was developed by Festo. Its goal is to arouse enthusiasm among trainees for the topic of MINT and bionic work through projects inspired by bionics. The interdisciplinary training concept consists of practical training kits (Bionics Kits) for practically oriented, problem-based learning and a digital learning environment: www.bionics4education.com. 

The biological model for the BionicWheelBot is the cyclist spider, which was discovered in the Erg Chebbi desert at the edge of the Sahara in 2008 by Prof. Ingo Rechenberg, Bionics Professor at the TU Berlin. Like other spiders, the cyclist spider can run, but it can also move forwards using a combination of somersaults and rolling along the ground. Since its discovery, Prof. Rechenberg has been working on transferring these movement sequences to technological applications. The kinematics and the drive concept have now been developed together with the bionics team from Festo. The BionicWheelBot rolls along the ground by forming a wheel with three legs on each side of its body. Two more legs, which are retracted during running, are then extended; they push the spider (which is in the shape of a ball) off the ground and propel it forwards in a continuous rolling motion. 

The future-oriented working environment BionicWorkplace consists of collaborative robots that are connected to IT systems from the field of artificial intelligence; these are able to understand and interpret questions spoken by humans. The operator can thus cooperate intuitively with the robot. The learning system can also process and interlink images from the connected camera systems, along with positional data and further information provided by other devices in the working environment. A so-called semantic map is thereby generated, which constantly grows with machine learning. The system then appropriately distributes the tasks to the robot and the other tools in order to provide ideal support for the human in his or her work. 

An elastic, airtight skin stretches from the fingertips to the feet of the BionicFlyingFox – just as with its biological model from nature. The on-board electronics regulate the flight behaviour of the BionicFlyingFox with the aid of inertial sensors and complex algorithms. An external camera system provides the control commands and the positional data required for the flight path planning: two movable infrared cameras are sufficient to keep a constant track of the flying fox, which is equipped with infrared markers. 

With the BionicCobot, Festo has now developed a pneumatic lightweight robot for the first time, which due to this flexibility can work together with humans directly and safely. In terms of its kinematics, the robot is based on the human arm. Like its biological role model, it solves many of its tasks with the help of sensitive movements. Due to its unique drive concept, which works according to the agonist-antagonist principle, the motion dynamics and rigidity can be variably adjusted. 

With the BionicCobot, Festo has now developed a pneumatic lightweight robot for the first time, which due to this flexibility can work together with humans directly and safely. In terms of its kinematics, the robot is based on the human arm. Like its biological role model, it solves many of its tasks with the help of sensitive movements. Due to its unique drive concept, which works according to the agonist-antagonist principle, the motion dynamics and rigidity can be variably adjusted. 

Sensitive and gentle or powerful and dynamic – in terms of its movements and functionality, the BionicMotionRobot is inspired by an elephant’s trunk and an octopus’s tentacles. The pneumatic lightweight robot features 12 degrees of freedom and, with its flexible bellows structure, can effortlessly implement the fluent motion sequences of its natural role models. The concept of the flexible kinematics is based on the Bionic Handling Assistant from 2010, which, due to the safe collaboration between man and machine, was given the German Future Award.

Superconductors are materials which below a certain temperature can "freeze" the field of a permanent magnet at a predefined distance and can thus hold it in suspension.
With its three current SupraMotion exhibits, Festo is further extending the spectrum of storage and movement possibilities shown to date and is showcasing three new possible applications.

•    SupraDrive: dynamic linear motion
•    SupraShaker: a suspended vibration system with tilting option
•    SupraLoop: a combination of various transport systems

The future of pneumatics: After the invention of the valve manifold, a further breakthrough innovation in pneumatics is now awaiting you in the form of the Festo Motion Terminal.

Superconductors are materials which below a certain temperature can "freeze" the field of a permanent magnet at a predefined distance and can thus hold it in suspension. With its three current SupraMotion exhibits, Festo is further extending the spectrum of storage and movement possibilities shown to date and is showcasing three new possible applications.

Just like a caterpillar, the 3D Cocooner spins delicate lightweight structures freely in space. With the help of a high-speed handling system, the spinneret is precisely controlled and glues a glass fibre into the desired bionic lattice shape with UV-curing resin.

With the ultra-light FreeMotionHandling indoor flying object, Festo has for the first time combined gripping and flying in a single future concept. The autonomous indoor flying object can manoeuvre freely in any direction, independently picking up and dropping off items where they are required.  

What do ants and Industry 4.0 have in common? What challenges faced the engineers when it came to developing these delicate technology platforms? Take a look behind the scenes and dive into the world of the Bionic Learning Network and the development of the BionicANTs.

Superconductors are materials which below a certain temperature can "freeze" the field of a permanent magnet at a predefined distance and can thus hold it in suspension. Festo, the first supplier of automation technology to investigate this potential, is demonstrating three possible applications: the storage and movement of an object on suspended rollers (SupraCarrier); a suspended rotating conveyor shaft (SupraHelix); and the active, controlled conveyance of a suspended magnetic object carrier from one superconductor automation module to the next (SupraCycle).

The FlexShapeGripper can pick up, gather and set back down several objects with the widest range of shapes in one procedure – without the need for a manual conversion. This is made possible by its water-filled silicone cap, which wraps itself around the items being gripped in a flexible and form-fitting manner.

With the eMotionButterflies, Festo now combines the ultralight construction of artificial insects with coordinated flying behaviour in a collective. In order to replicate their natural role model as closely as possible, the artificial butterflies feature highly integrated on-board electronics. They are able to activate the wings individually with precision and thereby implement the fast movements.

For the BionicANTs, the Festo engineers have not only taken the delicate anatomy of the natural ant as a role model. For the first time, the cooperative behaviour of the creatures has also been transferred to the world of technology using complex control algorithms. 

As the first provider of automation, Festo presented three research platforms at Hannover Messe 2013 on the topic of superconductivity: SupraLinearMotion, SupraHandling and SupraPicker. The three exhibits showed the movement of hovering objects without any contact in different ways – and hence the first possible applications of superconductor technology in the automation sector of tomorrow.

The fascination of superconductors: The first research platforms at the 2013 Hanover Fair already illustrated how objects can be maintained in a state of levitation and be moved without contact, for example. Festo has now further developed these ideas with SupraHandling 2.0, SupraShuttle and SupraChanger – its three current exhibits based on SupraMotion 2.0. These exhibits demonstrate the linear and rotary motion of levitating objects in all directions and in all spatial positions. All three of these new applications make use of electric cooling units with cryostats (refrigerated containers).

As the first provider of automation, Festo presented three research platforms at Hannover Messe 2013 on the topic of superconductivity: SupraLinearMotion, SupraHandling and SupraPicker. The three exhibits showed the movement of hovering objects without any contact in different ways – and hence the first possible applications of superconductor technology in the automation sector of tomorrow.

SmartBird is an ultralight but powerful flight model with excellent aerodynamic qualities and extreme agility. With SmartBird, Festo has succeeded in deciphering the flight of birds – one of the oldest dreams of humankind. Its wings not only beat up and down, but also twist at specific angles. This is made possible by an active articulated torsional drive unit, which in combination with a complex control system attains an unprecedented level of efficiency in flight operation.

SmartBird is an ultralight but powerful flight model with excellent aerodynamic qualities and extreme agility. With SmartBird, Festo has succeeded in deciphering the flight of birds – one of the oldest dreams of humankind. Its wings not only beat up and down, but also twist at specific angles. This is made possible by an active articulated torsional drive unit, which in combination with a complex control system attains an unprecedented level of efficiency in flight operation.

SmartBird is an ultralight but powerful flight model with excellent aerodynamic qualities and extreme agility. With SmartBird, Festo has succeeded in deciphering the flight of birds – one of the oldest dreams of humankind. Its wings not only beat up and down, but also twist at specific angles. This is made possible by an active articulated torsional drive unit, which in combination with a complex control system attains an unprecedented level of efficiency in flight operation

The LearningGripper from Festo looks like an abstract form of the human hand. The four fingers of the gripper are driven by twelve pneumatic bellows actuators with low-level pressurisation. Thanks to the machine learning process, the gripper is able to teach itself to carry out complex actions such as the targeted gripping and positioning of an object.

Enhance the strength and endurance of the human hand, extend humans’ scope of action and secure them an independent lifestyle even at an advanced age: The ExoHand from Festo is an exoskeleton that can be worn like a glove. The fingers can be actively moved and their strength amplified; the operator’s hand movements are registered and transmitted to the robotic hand in real time. 

Enhance the strength and endurance of the human hand, extend humans’ scope of action and secure them an independent lifestyle even at an advanced age: The ExoHand from Festo is an exoskeleton that can be worn like a glove. The fingers can be actively moved and their strength amplified; the operator’s hand movements are registered and transmitted to the robotic hand in real time.

With the eMotionSpheres, Festo shows how several flying objects can move in a coordinated manner and within a defined space. Whether individually or collectively – even in chaotic situations, there are no collisions as the spheres move out of each other’s way.

With CogniGame, Festo is demonstrating the next generation of operational concepts for human-machine interaction: controlling a system purely by the power of thought. CogniGame is a reinterpretation of a well-known video game that was launched on the market in the 1970s. By means of a brain-computer interface (BCI), one player uses only his power of thought to control the bat. On the other side is a second player, who uses his muscle power to operate a lever that moves his own bat.

With the BionicOpter, Festo has technically mastered the highly complex flight characteristics of the dragonfly. Just like its model in nature, this ultralight flying object can assume almost any position in space, fly in all directions, hover in mid-air and glide without beating its wings.

With the BionicKangaroo, Festo has technologically reproduced the unique way a kangaroo moves. Like its natural model, it can recover the energy when jumping, store it and efficiently use it for the next jump. The consistent lightweight construction facilitates the unique jumping behaviour. The system is controlled by gestures.

Flexible movement and precise gripping: The Bionic Handling Assistant is a readily yielding gripping arm whose structure and overall operation are modelled on the elephant’s trunk that combines a wide diversity of technologies and components. The flexible structure renders direct human-machine contact hazard-free, what makes the Handling Assistant an all-rounder. 

Flexible movement and precise gripping: The Bionic Handling Assistant is a readily yielding gripping arm whose structure and overall operation are modelled on the elephant’s trunk that combines a wide diversity of technologies and components. The flexible structure renders direct human-machine contact hazard-free, what makes the Handling Assistant an all-rounder. 

Flexible movement and precise gripping: The Bionic Handling Assistant is a readily yielding gripping arm whose structure and overall operation are modelled on the elephant’s trunk that combines a wide diversity of technologies and components. The flexible structure renders direct human-machine contact hazard-free, what makes the Handling Assistant an all-rounder. 

Like its natural archetype, the AquaPenguin from Festo has a hydrodynamic body contour. Its elegant wing propulsion and its head and tail sections, which can be moved in all directions, allow the robotic penguins to manoeuvre in cramped spatial conditions, to turn on the spot when necessary and – unlike their biological counterparts – even to swim backwards.

The artificial jellyfish have an intelligent, adaptive mechanism and are equipped with an electric drive unit. Their integrated communication and sensor technology plus the real-time diagnostics enable a coordinated, collective behaviour even in a limited space. An app can be used to individually record and track the current condition of each AquaJelly.

AquaRay is a remote-controlled fish driven by water hydraulics, the shape and movements of which have been based on the model of a manta ray. As the Aqua_ray can be manoeuvred extremely well, and can be operated both as a hydrostatic glider and with an active wing beat, substantial energy savings can be achieved.

With the AirPenguins, the engineers from Festo have created artificial penguins and have taught them "autonomous flight in the sea of air". The penguins are at liberty to move within a space monitored by ultrasound transmission stations; a microcontroller gives them free will in order to explore it.

AirJelly glides through a sea of air thanks to its central electric drive unit and an intelligent, adaptive mechanism. It is able to do so because it consists of a helium-filled ballonett. AirJelly is the first indoor flight object with peristaltic drive. This new drive concept, with propulsion based on the principle of recoil, moves the jellyfish gently through the air.

AirRay, modelled on the manta ray, is a remote-controlled hybrid construction consisting of a helium-filled ballonet and a beating wing drive. Its lightweight design enables it to “swim” in the sea of air using the lift from the helium in a similar way to the manta ray in water.