Soft robots have ushered in a new era of robotics, bringing forth grippers made from materials like fabric, paper, and silicone that are both flexible and adaptable. The result is a gentle yet remarkably effective way for robots to handle a wide variety of objects with delicate. However, despite the potential of this technology, it comes with its own set of challenges.

One primary hurdle is the difficulty soft grippers face when it comes to lifting heavier objects. This limitation arises from the inherent softness of these grippers, which restricts their ability to handle substantial weights and thus limits their application.

In response, our research team took on the task of designing a soft gripper that could defy this prevailing limitation and handle high payloads. Today, we are thrilled to unveil a groundbreaking design in the realm of soft robot gripper technology.

In our quest to enhance soft robot grippers, our research team drew inspiration from the age-old art of weaving. Weaving technology, known for its ability to intricately interlace individual threads to create robust fabrics, guided our innovative approach. This led us to a profound insight – while individual threads might have their constraints, the collective woven structure demonstrates remarkable resilience, capable of supporting significant weights. Building upon this principle, we developed a clever gripper using slender PET plastic strips, each thoughtfully engineered to seamlessly integrate within the woven structure.

The result is our weaving gripper, which has surpassed our expectations. With a gripping capacity exceeding 100 kg and weighing a mere 130 g, it showcases an impressive strength-to-weight ratio. By capitalizing on the inherent flexibility of the plastic strips, our gripper showcases its versatility by adeptly handling a wide range of objects, from fragile cards to an assortment of fruits, and even delicate flowers. This remarkable functionality is underpinned by a simple design – a single driver suffices for operation, and the structure greatly reduces concerns related to malfunction and contamination.

This achievement shatters the limitations once associated with soft gripper technology. Not only does it boast exceptional weight-bearing capacity and operational range, but it also exhibits remarkable adaptability. It can accommodate a diverse array of flexible and elastic materials beyond the PET plastic we used as the core material in our study.

Notably, the weaving gripper offers not only technical advancement but also economic feasibility. With an affordable unit price for materials (totaling just a few dollars) and a streamlined manufacturing process, it presents a cost-effective solution. Customization options in various sizes further enhance its appeal, opening up possibilities across a range of robotic applications that require precise gripping mechanisms.

With our research team spearheading this transformative technology, we are enthusiastic advocates of its potential. The weaving gripper's adaptability, efficiency, and affordability hold the promise to reshape industries and redefine the future of robotics. As we introduce this pioneering gripper technology, we eagerly anticipate the far-reaching impact and the limitless opportunities it brings forth.