Industrial change has accelerated, demanding a new level of interaction between people, machines and data. Within its Bionic Learning Network, Festo has been studying and developing safe automation systems to relieve people of monotonous or hazardous tasks. The BionicMobileAssistant is a prototype robot system that deploys artificial intelligence to move independently, identifying and gripping objects and adaptively working with humans. The entire BionicMobileAssistant system has been developed in collaboration with ETH Zurich.

ElectroCraft has recently expanded the AxialPower enhanced series of linear actuators to include a new high-performance 42mm (NEMA 17) frame size. This new AxialPower APES 17 linear actuator is highly configurable and available with a variety of imperial or metric leadscrew options with resolutions ranging from 0.006 mm to 0.050 mm per step, with an incredible output force of up to 1001 N (225 lbs.). The APES 17 offers 40% more force than competitive size 17 designs.