Grippers are a type of end effector that lets a robot pick up, move, and hold objects. These tools attach to the end of a robot arm to help it do specific operations. Grippers are essential devices in manufacturing and assembly, as well as logistics and any precision task. 

Think of a gripper as the “grabber” on the arm, whether it's picking up boxes in a warehouse or handling tiny electronics in a factory. 

Read on to learn more about: 

• Types of grippers in robotics and their applications
• Challenges and how to pick the right gripper
• How grippers connect with robotic arms like RO1
• Grippers and industrial robotic arms cost breakdown
• Tips to keep your grippers working longer

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What are grippers?

Grippers are a robotic arm’s hands — essential tools that let robots grab, hold, and manipulate objects. They help the robot interact with the physical world.

Unlike other end effectors, grippers come in many varieties, each suited to different jobs. Some rely on mechanical force, while others use vacuum, magnets, or adhesives to get the job done. The right gripper depends on the material, precision, and force needed for the job at “hand”.

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Robot gripper types

There are a few main types of grippers, and each has its uses. 

Try this TL;DR on for size: 

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Now, let’s go over the different types of grippers in detail: 

Impactive grippers

Impactive grippers use mechanical jaws to physically grab objects — this is what most people picture when they think of a robot hand. These grippers come in different designs, depending on how they move:

• Angular grippers: The jaws swing open and shut like pliers, making them great for gripping irregularly shaped objects.
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• Concentric grippers: The jaws close in a circular pattern, mimicking how a human hand would grab an object — best for round or cylindrical items.
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• Parallel grippers: The jaws move straight in and out, like a wrench tightening around a bolt. Ideal for uniform objects needing a firm, even grip.

Great for: Assembly lines, pick-and-place jobs, and material handling where a solid mechanical grip is par for the course

Ingressive grippers

Ingressive grippers use needles or pins to pierce and hold onto objects — great for handling soft, fibrous, or porous materials that traditional grippers would struggle with. Instead of clamping around an object, they push into it, making them ideal for delicate or irregularly shaped items.

• Needle grippers: Thin, retractable needles puncture materials like fabric, foam, or composite textiles, giving you a firm grip without crushing the items.
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• Pin grippers: Small pins extend to create multiple contact points, improving stability for lightweight or fragile components.

Best for: Textile manufacturing, composite material handling, and gripping soft or flexible items without all of the ugly deformations

Astrictive grippers

Astrictive grippers rely on non-contact forces like vacuum suction or magnetism to hold objects — making them perfect for delicate, smooth, or oddly shaped materials that traditional mechanical grippers might damage or destroy. Instead of squeezing an object, they create a holding force that secures it in place.

• Vacuum grippers: Use suction cups or air channels to create a vacuum seal, allowing for secure handling of flat, smooth, or non-porous items like glass, plastic sheets, and electronics.
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• Magnetic grippers: Use electromagnets or permanent magnets to lift and move ferrous metals without needing a mechanical grip. Ideal for sheet metal or machined parts.

Best for: Electronics, packaging, glass handling, and moving metal parts with very little surface contact

Contigutive grippers

Contigutive grippers use adhesive forces to grip objects — meaning they rely on surface tension, glue, or freezing to hold materials in place rather than mechanical pressure or suction. 

These are the top picks for handling fragile, irregular, or ultra-lightweight items that other grippers might break.

• Adhesive grippers: Use specialized sticky surfaces or pressure-sensitive adhesives to latch onto objects, which makes them great for soft materials like textiles or paper.
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• Electrostatic grippers: Generate an electrostatic charge to attract and hold non-metallic objects, often used in semiconductor and electronics manufacturing.
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• Cryogenic grippers: Freeze objects in place using extreme cold, ideal for handling biological samples or other sensitive materials.

Best for: Delicate materials, textiles, microelectronics, and precision manufacturing

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What materials and jobs are grippers designed for?

Industrial grippers handle all sorts of materials, from hard metals to soft, fragile electronics. 

Some examples to look out for: 

• Metal and wood: Tough materials need rugged, high-force grippers. Pneumatic or hydraulic impactive grippers are very good for machining, welding, and heavy lifting.
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• Glass and ceramics: These fragile materials need a much gentler touch. Suction-based astrictive grippers or soft-fingered impactive grippers help avoid breakage.
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• Textiles and paper: Flexible materials are the trickiest. Ingressive grippers with pin-like projections or vacuum grippers work much better for secure handling.
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• Food and pharmaceuticals: Hygiene matters here. Contigutive grippers (cryogenic or adhesive) and soft impactive grippers will give you minimal contamination and much more precise handling.

Your gripper should be tailored to the material you're handling. If you're working with delicate parts, you'll want something more sensitive, like the ones found in this guide to 2-finger grippers.

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Robotic grippers: Key pros and cons

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Benefits of robotic gripper technology

Grippers might not get as much hype as robotic arms or AI, but without them, robots would just be waving their arms around uselessly. 

Here’s what makes them invaluable:

• Precision handling: A good gripper can manipulate objects with near-perfect accuracy, ensuring parts are placed exactly where they need to be. This is non-negotiable in industries like electronics, where placing a microchip even a fraction of a millimeter off can lead to massive failures.
  
  
• Speed that makes human hands look slow: A robot equipped with a well-tuned gripper can grab, move, and release objects at speeds no human worker could match. This supercharges production lines and reduces cycle times, meaning businesses can crank out more products in less time.
  
  
• Versatility across industries — from microchips to machinery: There’s a gripper for (nearly) everything. Vacuum grippers handle fragile objects like glass, mechanical grippers clamp down on heavy-duty materials, and soft grippers gently grasp delicate food items. This adaptability makes them a must-have across manufacturing, logistics, food production, and even healthcare.
  
  
• Much safer than manual handling: By automating repetitive gripping fare, companies can minimize strain injuries and accidents caused by heavy lifting or hazardous materials. Instead of human workers handling sharp objects, hot surfaces, or toxic chemicals, grippers take on the risk.
  
  
• Good integration with robotic systems: Modern grippers are designed to work with a wide range of robotic arms, often featuring plug-and-play compatibility with leading systems like RO1. With easy mounting and smart sensors, you can quickly adapt them to different applications without a total system overhaul.
  
  
• Consistency that never wavers: Unlike humans, who get tired, distracted, or inconsistent over time, grippers deliver the same level of precision and force on every single job. Less waste, more efficiency, better products.
  
  
• Better material used: With their pinpoint precision and controlled force application, grippers reduce product damage and material waste. In industries like packaging or food handling, where even minor mishandling can result in major losses, this adds up to big savings.

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Major challenges when choosing a gripper

It’s not all sunshine and rainbows when it comes to grippers. 

Here are some things to look out for: 

• Precision vs. durability: Need a delicate touch? You’ll sacrifice some lifespan. One of the main challenges is finding a gripper that offers the right amount of precision without sacrificing durability. If your jobs involve handling delicate objects like electronics or food, you’ll need a soft, sensitive gripper. But in heavy industries like manufacturing, where the robot handles raw materials, you’ll need something with a bit more power. 
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• Grip force control: Many grippers are designed for heavy-duty gripping, but not all can be fine-tuned for more delicate jobs. Finding a gripper that can adapt to varying levels of grip force — such as handling both tomatoes and aluminum blocks — can be hard. 
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• Actuation method: Choosing between electric, pneumatic, or hydraulic EOAT (End of Arm Tooling) or grippers depends on the speed, force, and precision you need. Pneumatic grippers are known for their speed, though not all models offer precise force control for delicate jobs. In contrast, hydraulic grippers are powerful but slow. Electric grippers offer precision but tend to take up more space due to their motors and servos, which might be a challenge in confined areas. 
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• Payload and weight: It’s important to ensure the robotic arm can handle the weight of both the gripper and the objects it’s picking up. Some heavy-duty grippers might limit the payload capacity of the robotic arm. For example, if your arm has a payload of 10 kg and the gripper weighs 3 kg, you're left with only 7 kg for your job, which could put a damper on things. 
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• Specialized materials: Grippers come in different materials, such as metals, plastics, and rubber, depending on the job. Picking the wrong material for your task can lead to damaged goods or wear and tear on the gripper itself. For example, rubber-tipped grippers work well with fragile items but might wear out quickly in rougher industrial settings.
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• Environmental conditions: Harsh environments, like those that involve heat, moisture, or corrosive chemicals, require grippers with specialized materials and designs. Failing to account for environmental factors can drastically reduce the lifespan of the gripper and lead to increased maintenance costs.

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How do grippers integrate with robotic arms like RO1?

Universal M8 connectors work with a variety of grippers and allow you to connect with robotic arms like RO1 from Standard Bots easily.

Grippers are only as good as the robots they’re attached to — if integration is a nightmare, productivity goes down the drain. RO1 makes it easy with ready-to-go adaptability, no-code programming, and real-time force control.

• Universal M8 connectors: No custom wiring headaches — RO1’s M8 connectors support a variety of grippers straight out of the box, which makes setup extremely easy.
  
  
• No-code programming: RO1’s intuitive interface lets users swap grippers without diving into complex programming. Whether it’s a two-finger gripper for precision or a vacuum gripper for speed, transitions are near-instant.
  
  
• Standard communication protocols: No compatibility issues — RO1 speaks the same language as leading gripper brands, so you get precise coordination between the arm and end effector.
  
  
• Adaptive force control: Need to grab a fragile glass vial one minute and a steel component the next? RO1 dynamically adjusts grip strength in real time, preventing damage while maintaining a firm grasp.
  
  
• Multi-gripper support: Double the efficiency — RO1 can handle dual-gripper setups, which allows for faster cycle times and smoother material handling.

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Cost breakdown: How much do grippers cost?

What is a gripper price that we can call “decent?” It depends on the application. 

Here's a rough breakdown:

• Basic grippers: Expect to spend around $1,000 for these meat-and-potatoes models, typically those with basic electric actuation. These grippers are often used for light jobs like pick-and-place in packaging or light assembly operations. 
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• Mid-range pneumatic or hydraulic grippers: For more advanced stuff where speed, strength, or precision is a factor, pneumatic or hydraulic grippers can range from $3,000 to $10,000. They deliver high speeds and grip force, while hydraulic grippers offer the strongest grip for heavy-duty applications. This generally covers more rugged environments. 
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• High-end specialized grippers: If your jobs involve delicate handling (like electronics or medical supplies) or if you need highly customizable grippers with advanced technology (e.g., force sensors, multi-functionality, or computer vision), costs can go much higher — sometimes exceeding $15,000. If your gripper needs machine vision or something extra, then budget for more. 

For example, a Schunk electric gripper might be priced at $6,500, while a Robotiq 2-finger adaptive gripper designed for precise applications might start at around $4,000. Check out a list of OnRobot grippers. 

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12 Tips to extend a gripper’s lifespan

Keeping your gripper in good shape helps it last longer. Like any hardworking machine, they need some attention to stay in top shape. Here’s how to make sure your grippers go the distance:

1. Preventive maintenance 

Scheduling regular maintenance checks can prevent unexpected breakdowns that might lead to costly repairs or replacements. Ensuring that your gripper is properly lubricated and regularly inspecting for wear and tear on components (like rubber pads or seals) can extend the lifespan of your gripper and reduce replacement costs.

2. Energy efficiency 

Grippers that use electric actuation tend to be more energy-efficient than pneumatic or hydraulic options. Opting for electric grippers where possible can lead to long-term energy savings, especially in facilities with multiple robots operating around the clock.

Pneumatic grippers rely on compressed air, and leaks or inefficiencies can lead to increased energy costs and wear on components. Electric grippers are a solid alternative when energy savings and fine control are priorities.

3. Upgrade instead of replace

Rather than fully replacing a worn-out gripper, consider upgrading components. For instance, some manufacturers offer replacement parts for jaws or motors instead of requiring the purchase of a new gripper. This can significantly cut down on expenses in the long term.

4. Optimize gripper usage 

If your robot is handling light jobs, opt for a gripper with lower grip force. Using a high-force gripper for unnecessary jobs will wear it down more quickly, requiring more frequent replacements.

5. Don’t wait for a breakdown 

Just like a car needs oil changes, grippers need routine checkups. Regular lubrication, cleaning, and inspections prevent premature wear and costly replacements. A well-maintained gripper means fewer unexpected failures and smoother production.

6. Don’t overwork it 

Using a high-force industrial gripper to pick up a foam block is overkill. On the other hand, trying to lift a metal plate with a delicate vacuum gripper is a disaster waiting to happen. Stick to the right tool for the right task, or expect excessive wear and tear.

7. Too much grip force can wreck your parts and the gripper

A gripper that clamps down with too much force can damage both the object and itself. Adjustable-force models help fine-tune the grip so it’s strong enough to hold the object, but not so aggressive that it wears out the mechanism.

8. Clean it regularly

Grippers operate in all sorts of conditions, and dust, grease, or tiny metal shavings can jam up gears, clog vacuum lines, or wear down seals. A simple wipe-down and air blowout go a long way toward extending lifespan.

9. Swap out individual parts

Many grippers, especially impactive grippers and vacuum grippers in robots, have replaceable components like rubber pads, suction cups, or gripping jaws. Instead of replacing an entire unit, swapping out worn parts can save thousands in maintenance costs.

10. Every extra motion adds wear and tear

If your robot’s gripper is making unnecessary movements, that’s extra strain on its joints and components. Optimizing pick-and-place programming reduces excessive motion, making the gripper last longer.

11. Grippers don’t like extreme conditions 

Astrictive grippers like vacuum-based systems don’t perform well in high-humidity environments, while hydraulic impactive grippers can struggle with extreme cold. Make sure your gripper is rated for the conditions it’s working in, or you’ll see early failure.

12. Monitor performance with real-time data

Advanced grippers now come with built-in sensors that monitor force, wear, and cycle count. This allows predictive maintenance — fixing small problems before they turn into full-blown failures.

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The future of robotic grippers — what’s next?

Robotic grippers have come a long way from simple mechanical claws — and they’re about to get even smarter, faster, and more adaptable. Here’s where the industry is headed:

• Grippers that “think” before they grab thanks to AI: Future grippers will use machine learning to adjust their grip in real time, sensing object weight, texture, and fragility. This means no more swapping grippers for different jobs — one gripper will handle everything from glassware to industrial tools without crushing or slipping.
  
  
• Goodbye hard metal, hello flexible gripper fingers: Instead of rigid mechanical jaws, soft robotic grippers made from flexible, shape-shifting materials will mold around objects like human fingers. This is perfect for handling delicate items like food, textiles, or medical instruments. Companies like OnRobot and Soft Robotics are already developing soft grippers that can pick up everything from strawberries to circuit boards without much effort.
  
  
• Self-healing materials, or grippers that repair themselves: We’re talking about a gripper that doesn’t wear out over time because it can literally heal itself. Researchers are developing polymers that can “self-repair” when scratched or torn, extending gripper lifespans and reducing downtime for maintenance. This will be a game-changer for industries that require high-precision gripping, like semiconductor manufacturing.
  
  
• Multimodal gripping: Why settle for one gripping method when you can have several in a single device? Future grippers will combine impactive, astrictive, and contigutive gripping techniques into a hybrid system. Need to switch from a vacuum suction grip to a mechanical claw mid-task? The next-gen gripper will do it on the fly.
  
  
• Grippers with a sense of touch: Today’s grippers don’t “feel” what they’re holding, but that’s changing. Engineers are developing grippers with embedded pressure and temperature sensors, allowing robots to adjust grip strength dynamically. This means no more crushed blueberries or dropped circuit boards. Expect grippers that can even detect texture and surface friction, mimicking the dexterity of a human hand.
  
  
• Seeing before seizing: Right now, robots rely on separate vision systems for object detection. But future grippers will come equipped with their own micro-cameras and LiDAR sensors, allowing them to recognize, track, and adjust their grip without needing an external camera setup. This will make robotic systems cheaper, faster, and much easier to deploy.
  
  
• Wireless, battery-free operation: Many robotic grippers use pneumatic or hydraulic power, requiring bulky hoses or wires. Future models will be completely self-contained, running on wireless energy transfer or ultra-efficient battery systems. This will make them more portable, adaptable, and easier to integrate into existing automation setups.
  
  
• Copying nature’s best designs: Engineers are looking to nature for inspiration, developing gecko-inspired grippers that use Van der Waals forces for ultra-secure, non-damaging grips. Others are working on octopus-inspired tentacle grippers that wrap around irregularly shaped objects with perfect precision.
  
  
• Grippers that learn from every pick thanks to the cloud: Future grippers will use cloud computing to store and scan every single movement they make, continuously improving performance. If a gripper in one factory figures out the best way to handle a new material, that data will instantly be available to every other gripper in the network.
  
  
• Robots on Mars, the Moon, and beyond: NASA and other space agencies are investing in grippers that can function in zero gravity, extreme temperatures, and high-radiation environments. These will be used for everything from planetary exploration to satellite repair. Imagine a robotic arm fixing a space station with grippers that work flawlessly in conditions no human could survive.
  
  
• Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) with advanced gripping abilities: Right now, many grippers rely on pre-programmed movements. But the future will bring grippers that can operate independently, making real-time decisions based on AI analysis. These AMRs will be able to navigate warehouses, pick up and sort packages, and even perform precision assembly with little-to-no manual intervention.
  
  

What does all this mean for businesses?

Smarter grippers mean faster automation, lower costs, and increased flexibility: Companies will no longer need multiple grippers for different jobs — a single AI-driven, adaptive gripper will handle everything. Industries like logistics, healthcare, food processing, and electronics manufacturing will see the biggest transformations as these technologies go totally mainstream. 

Robots will no longer be confined to repetitive, pre-programmed jobs — they’ll be able to think, adapt, and execute complex gripping jobs like any human, or perhaps even better. 

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Summing up

What are grippers? Well, now you know, and they’re a big deal in robotics. Whether you’re shuffling boxes around or handling sensitive materials, the right gripper makes all the difference. 

But always be on the lookout: You have to match the gripper to the job, or otherwise, you’ll just be left with what amounts to a very expensive paperweight. 

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Next steps

Suppose you’re looking to find the perfect pairing of industrial robotic arm and end effector for your application. RO1 by Standard Bots comes with a variety of grippers out of the box, universal M8 connectors, and integration with OnRobot and Robotiq end effectors. RO1 is the best choice for machine shops large and small:

• Affordable: RO1 is the most affordable robotic arm in its class, starting at almost half the price of incumbent competitors. 
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• All-seeing: RO1 is equipped with best-in-class vision systems, AI, and AI on par with GPT-4, which makes it easy to detect the smallest of defects and imperfections.
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• No-code: You don’t need to know any programming languages to get RO1 going, thanks to its user-friendly interface. 
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• Collaborative: RO1 comes equipped with safety sensors and built-in collision detection for safe operation anywhere on your shop floor.

Speak to our solutions team today to organize a free, 30-day onsite trial and get expert advice on everything you need to deploy your first robot.