?? Universal Robots Ecosystem Meets... Festo Didactic & Sick Sensor Intelligence

The Exciting Frontiers of Automation in Education: The Power of Universal Robots ??, Festo Didactic ??, and Sick Sensor Intelligence ??

Automation is the backbone of modern manufacturing. From robotics to sensor technology and their integration to artificial intelligence, the field of automation is constantly evolving. To prepare the next generation of engineers, technicians, and innovators, it is essential to provide them with hands-on experience using the most advanced and integrated tools available.

That’s why Universal Robots is so excited about our partnership with Festo Didactic and SICK Sensor Intelligence. Through the immense power of our combined technologies, new solutions in automation education are pushing the boundaries of what is possible and giving students tools that provide them a holistic understanding of mechatronic systems, robotics, safety protocols and vision technology, inspiring & equipping our next generation for work on the cutting edge of the manufacturing industry.

At Universal Robots recent Collaborate 2025 event, I was able to speak with Ted Rozier - Director of Engineering at Festo Didactic - and Bryan Sellars - Manager of Strategy & Business Exploration at SICK Sensor Intelligence - about their solutions as well as gather their insight on what we as the manufacturing community can do to inspire the next generation to get involved in our industry.

Check out the video below ??

?? Festo Didactic’s MPS Cart: Bringing Mechatronics, Robotics & Safety to Life

At the foundational layer of this collaboration is Festo Didactic's MPS (Modular Production System) Cart. As a versatile and modular training system, the MPS Cart allows students to build, configure, and program a wide range of industrial automation systems. Festo’s MPS Cart introduces students to fundamental concepts in mechatronics, hydraulics, pneumatics, and control systems.

"When it comes to automation, manufacturing, components, of course, everyone thinks of Festo Automation. You might call Festo the 'grandfather of mechatronics'. But at Festo Didactic we focus clearly on bringing education into high-schools, colleges and universities." -Ted Rozier

What really sets this system apart is its adaptability and hands-on approach. The MPS Cart offers students the opportunity to configure and reconfigure production setups in real time, replicating real-world manufacturing environments. With integrated systems such as conveyors, actuators, SICK Sensor Intelligence safety scanners and sensors, and the 6-axis Universal Robots, students gain a deep understanding of the complexity of modern automation solutions.

By integrating the MPS Cart with the Universal Robots platform, Festo Didactic provides an educational experience that merges theoretical knowledge with practical skills. Universal Robots’ collaborative robots interact seamlessly with the MPS Cart, empowering students to design, implement, and optimize robotic workflows. This gives students the chance to not only learn about automation and robotics but to experience the true value of collaborative systems in action.

?? Sick Sensor Intelligence: 2D Vision Integration for Smarter Automation

The second key component in this educational solution is the integration of SICK Sensor Intelligence’s 2D Robotic Guidance (PLOC2D) and Safety Area Scanner (SBOT Stop & Speed). In modern industrial environments, safety, precision, speed, and flexibility are of the utmost importance—and this is where these powerful vision systems come into play. Sick’s vision technologies enhance the capabilities of Universal Robots by allowing them to “see” and understand their environment with pinpoint accuracy as well as give our Force & Power Limiting (FLR) robots Speed & Separation Monitoring (SSM) capabilities, ensuring safe and efficient collaborative robot deployments.

"Robotics isn't going away... It's getting bigger. And the likelihood of humans and robots interacting just exponentially goes up. So we have to make sure that we keep those interactions safe. Safety is not there to keep you from doing something. Safety is there to make sure you do it in a way that's not going to hurt you, but still maintain productivity." -Bryan Sellars

Students can now integrate vision and safety technology into their robotic systems to perform tasks such as object detection, quality inspection, and alignment all while conforming to industry safety standards. By incorporating these systems into their automation projects, students learn how vision and robotics work together to drive efficiency, accuracy, and safety in manufacturing processes.

The seamless integration of Sick’s 2D Vision with the Universal Robots platform opens up new possibilities for students to engage with robot vision applications in real-world scenarios. This real-time feedback enables students to make decisions on how to improve the system’s performance, enhancing both their problem-solving and technical skills.

?? A Comprehensive Picture of Automation

By bringing together our innovative companies—Universal Robots, Festo Didactic and SICK Sensor Intelligence—students are not only introduced to robotics, but also to the larger world of automated systems, machine safety, and advanced mechatronics. The integration of the MPS Cart, Safety Area Scanners and 2D Vision into the Universal Robots platform allows students to explore a comprehensive understanding of how these critical systems interact and work together in the modern manufacturing and production environments.

Students get exposure to an immersive learning experience that covers:

• Robotics and Collaborative Automation: With Universal Robots as the central hub, students gain first-hand experience with collaborative robots and learn how to program them to carry out tasks alongside humans in a shared workspace.
• Vision Technology: With Sick's 2D Vision and Safety Scanning systems, students understand the role of machine vision in automating inspections, sorting, and quality control.
• Safety and Mechatronics: Festo’s MPS Cart exposes students to both safety principles and hands-on training in mechatronic systems that integrate pneumatics, hydraulics, sensors, actuators, and control technology.

This educational solution empowers students to design and implement sophisticated systems that are innovative, safe, and efficient, while preparing them for future careers in automation and robotics.

?? Preparing the Workforce of Tomorrow ??

As industries around the world rapidly embrace automation, it is clear that there is a growing demand for skilled professionals who understand how to design, implement, and optimize automated systems. The collaboration between Universal Robots, Festo Didactic, and Sick Sensor Intelligence is helping to meet that demand by offering cutting-edge educational solutions that give students a comprehensive and real-world understanding of the automation systems that are shaping the future of industry.

In essence, these integrated solutions are empowering the next generation of engineers and technicians with the skills they need to drive the digital transformation in manufacturing. Through hands-on experience with industry-leading technologies, students are better prepared to tackle the challenges of tomorrow’s automation-driven industries.

"Manufacturing is coming back to this nation, and robots aren't going away. And we're not taking jobs, we're just helping people do their jobs better." -Bryan Sellars

The future of automation education is now, and it’s collaborative, innovative, and exciting.

?? Want to learn more?

Discover how Universal Robots, Festo Didactic & Sick are shaping the future of the educations space in robotics, safety and mechatronics here ?? and stay tuned for more updates as our partnerships continue to evolve, bringing groundbreaking solutions to the forefront of education and industrial robotics.

? How important is education to your companies' automation strategy?

? How can we inspire the next generation to get into the manufacturing industry?

? What’s holding you back from adopting collaborative robots in your operations?

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Team works makes the dream work, and the Ecosystem Meets series was created in a collaboration between myself and my colleague, Amanda Natalie L?vgren Fellov.

P.S. Want even more insights? ??

Tune in to our thought leadership podcast - ReAutomated - explore UR's technical tools at Developer Suite, or dive into free learning opportunities at our Academy!

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