Editorial

Abstract

In times with increasing global awareness for the limited availability of resources and its sustainable usage as well as increasing attention to the impact of humankind on the environment and the global climate, fluid power technology faces new and increasing challenges.

Current research in fluid power is therefore about tackling the current technological changes and socioeconomic challenges. Limiting and dealing with global warming and climate change is the major challenge of the 21st century. It is needed that all industries contribute to this challenge. Therefore, this topic will have a major impact on the development of fluid power technology in the coming years. In addition, digitization, in combination with the reliability of fluid power systems, is opening up new opportu- nities for innovation at all levels. By presenting selected research papers, this special issue aims to give examples of recent research approaches in fluid power addressing recent challenges towards a sustainable technological development.

We believe that, fundamentally, fluid power technology offers a lot of potential for being a sustainable motion technology. Large forces, high dynamics, long durability and high power-to-weight ratios were and still are the core attributes of fluid power systems. Thus, fluid power has the potential to make a decisive contribution as a motion technology of the future in a sustainable society. To do this, we need to reflect on our strengths and seize the opportunities presented by new trends such as digitalization and collaborative robotics.