Elke's test PM
The future fields of this year's projects from Festo's Bionic Learning Network include research activities relating to energy recovery, self-organization, adaptive systems, innovative drive concepts and positioning systems. The focus is on a holistic approach on the way to the production of the future. Fundamental technologies for networked overall systems and the interaction between man and machine are highly relevant.
BionicKangaroo - energy-efficient jumping kinematics based on a natural model
For almost two years, a team of developers from Festo's Bionic Learning Network worked on realistically reproducing the jumping behavior of the natural kangaroo and learning from it. The BionicKangaroo now demonstrates exactly what characterizes the natural kangaroo, namely recovering energy, storing it and using it again in the next jump. The Achilles tendon plays an important role in this, which is why it is particularly pronounced in the natural kangaroo. The function of the natural Achilles tendon is realized with the help of an elastic band made of rubber. It is attached to the back of the foot and parallel to a pneumatic cylinder on the knee joint. The artificial tendon cushions the jump, simultaneously absorbing the kinetic energy and releasing it for the next jump.
Condition monitoring and precise control and regulation technology ensure stability during jumping and landing. The kangaroo achieves its high jumping power with the help of pneumatics. Electric motors are used where maximum positioning accuracy is required - for example to control the tail and hips. With the artificial kangaroo, Festo demonstrates how pneumatic and electric drive technology can be efficiently and intelligently combined into a highly dynamic system using a new generation of control systems from Festo.
Festo is a global player and an independent family-owned company with headquarters in Esslingen am Neckar, Germany. Festo has set standards in industrial automation technology and technical education ever since its establishment, thereby making a contribution to sustainable development of the environment, the economy and society. The company supplies pneumatic and electrical automation technology to 300,000 customers of factory and process automation in over 35 industries. Digitalization, AI and the LifeTech sector with medical technology and laboratory automation are becoming increasingly important. The products and services are available in 176 countries. With about 20,600 employees in over 250 branch offices in around 60 countries worldwide, Festo achieved a turnover of around €3.45 billion in 2024. More than 8% of this turnover is invested in research and development. In this learning company, 1.5 % of turnover is invested in basic and further training. Festo Didactic SE is a leading provider of technical education and training and offers its customers worldwide comprehensive digital and physical learning solutions in the industrial environment.
