The University of California San Diego has developed a robotic gripper inspired by measuring tape, aimed at agricultural applications. The GRIP-tape, which stands for Grasping and Rolling In-Plane, features soft extremities suitable for handling delicate produce. Published in Science Advances on April 9, 2025, this innovation addresses the bulkiness of existing expandable grippers.
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The tape's dual properties—robustness and flexibility—allow it to be stored compactly and extend significantly when needed. Engineers found that binding two tapes together with adhesive creates an optimal gripper. Nick Gravish, the senior author, stated, "We like to look for non-traditional, non-intuitive robot mechanisms. The tape measure is such a wonderful structure because of its combined softness and stiffness together."
The gripper consists of two "fingers," each made from two rolls of measuring tape and controlled by four motors. These fingers can independently extend to reach distant objects or retract to bring items closer to the robot arm. The tape's design allows it to function as a gripping surface, conveyor belt, and even rotate objects.
Experiments demonstrated the gripper's ability to lift various objects, such as rubber balls, tomatoes, and lemons. The measuring tape's springy nature and steel composition ensure durability and a gentle touch. Future iterations may incorporate advanced sensors and AI for autonomous operation.
For more information:
Ioana Patringenaru
University of California
Tel: +1 858 534 2230
Email: ipatrin@ucsd.edu
www.today.ucsd.edu