National Robotics Week highlights the influence of robotics on both industry and society, while also encouraging students to explore robotics and STEM fields by sharing the excitement these technologies can offer. Festo is a pioneering presence in this space, pulling together the key ingredients of automation, biomimicry, and education to drive progress. In this profile piece, I’ll take a look at how the company is advancing the boundaries of what robotics can achieve.
Background
Founded in 1925, Festo is a German automation company specialising in control and drive technology. Headquartered in Esslingen am Neckar, it has grown into a global supplier of pneumatic and electrical automation solutions, with a presence in over 60 countries, operating in over 250 locations, and has around 20,000 employees worldwide.
Automation and education
The company operates across two key areas: industrial automation and technical education. In industrial settings, Festo provides components and systems that underpin motion control, fluid handling, and process automation. Its offering ranges from actuators, sensors, and controllers, to complete electromechanical systems integrated with software for smart factory applications. This includes innovations in collaborative robotics, machine vision, and additive manufacturing.
Alongside its industrial portfolio, Festo Didactic delivers technical education solutions to vocational schools, universities, and corporate training programmes. This branch of the business supports the upskilling of engineers and technicians through hands-on learning platforms, including fully equipped training factories and modular education kits.
The bionic learning network
Festo is known for its bionic learning network – an exciting, innovative, and long-running research initiative that explores how nature-inspired designs can inform robotics and automation. From robotic arms that mimic elephant trunks, and autonomous flying air penguins, to BionicFinWave underwater robots and drones that fly like dragonflies, these projects are developed in collaboration with universities and research institutions. While many are not commercialised, they act as research and engagement tools that influence product development and STEM outreach, and the results are truly incredible.
Sustainability efforts
Sustainability is another focal point for the company and it is now completely CO₂-neutral. It also invests in energy-efficient automation, aiming to reduce resource use across manufacturing environments, helping customers achieve their energy-efficient goals and become as CO2 neutral as possible.
Integrative STEM education
Festo also operates Festo STEM, an initiative aimed at promoting hands-on technical learning in secondary schools. As part of its integrative approach, the programme includes Bionics4Education, which uses nature-inspired technologies to engage students in robotics and problem-solving. The initiative includes a dedicated bionics kit, designed to help learners explore the link between biology and engineering through practical, project-based activities. By combining creativity with technical skill-building, Festo STEM supports the development of future engineers and innovators.
By bringing together robotics, AI, and education, Festo is shaping the future of automation one cool innovation at a time.
