Soft Robotics today announced mGrip, an on-demand, modular automation robotic gripper kit that lets users quickly create, validate, and install production-ready soft robotic systems in minutes.
Carl Vause, Soft Robotics
“Our customers have asked for the ability to quickly build and deploy our disruptive technology, and we have delivered with mGrip,” said Carl Vause, CEO of Soft Robotics. “As consumers place increasing value on choice, control and convenience, manufacturers are looking for solutions that can facilitate shorter lead times, accelerate new production introductions and simplify the manufacturing of customized products. With just one mGrip kit, you can automate an endless set of applications.”
Soft Robotics said each kit comes equipped the components needed “to build tools with limitless configurations and spacing options, solving even the most impossible picking challenges.” The company said its revolutionary gripping system “has been validated in the most demanding production environments with customers around the world.”
Soft Robotics’ technology allows for human hand-like dexterity to grab objects like food and differently shaped consumer goods. Source: Soft Robotics
The worldwide robotics end-of-arm tooling market has experienced significant growth over the last few years, and is expected to continue through 2023. An October 2018 QYResearch report forecasts the market at $1.58 billion in 2017, with growth rising to $2.42 billion by 2023, a steady compound annual growth rate of about 8%. Another report by Technavio in November 2018 predicted an even higher growth rate at about 13% CAGR between now and 2023. Since its founding in 2013, the company has raised $25 million in funding, including a $20 million round in May 2018.
Hand-like dexterity
The Bedford, Mass.-based company designs and creates automation systems that can grasp and manipulate items with dexterity like a human hand. Using patents in the material science space, the company provides automation for industries including food and beverage, advanced manufacturing, and e-commerce. Customers include one of the largest pizza retailers, a Fortune 500 consumer products company, and Just Born Quality Confections, the maker of Peeps marshmallow candy.
The company said mGrip is now available – customers interested in the product can learn more information at the company’s website.
