The MultiChoiceGripper is a gripper that adjusts to different tasks. The pneumatic gripper is inspired by the human hand and is modelled on the thumb, thanks to which humans are also able to grip a wide variety of shapes quickly and easily. The gripper unites a combination of different grip types. Its fingers can therefore be switched over so that they can either grip in a parallel or centric manner – without requiring any conversion. 

The MultiChoiceGripper is not only variable in terms of the direction of grip, as the fingers themselves can adapt to a wide variety of shapes. The gripper can therefore handle differently shaped, including very sensitive, objects without additional sensor or control technology. 

MultiChoiceGripper

The MultiChoiceGripper is a gripper that adjusts to different tasks. The pneumatic gripper is inspired by the human hand and is modelled on the thumb, thanks to which humans are also able to grip a wide variety of shapes quickly and easily. The gripper unites a combination of different grip types. Its fingers can therefore be switched over so that they can either grip in a parallel or centric manner – without requiring any conversion.&nbsp;The MultiChoiceGripper is not only variable in terms of the direction of grip, as the fingers themselves can adapt to a wide variety of shapes. The gripper can therefore handle differently shaped, including very sensitive, objects without additional sensor or control technology.&nbsp;The MultiChoiceGripper also employs both force and form-fitting type of closure by using gripping fingers which are adaptive. As a result, the MultiChoiceGripper can vary between a parallel or centric grip. This is enabled by two rotatable finger slots on the base body of the gripper, which are arranged either around a central point or opposite the third finger. This is inspired by the opposable human thumb, which is rotated by 130° in relation to the other fingers.

Festo brochure with more background information about the arm, the technology, and specifications. Describes the team that worked on the project.



MultiChoiceGripper brochure.

Describes the Fin ray technology which has been used in the MultiChoiceGripper Project. 



Fin ray® Effect Inspired Soft Robotic Gripper: From The Robosoft Grand Challenge Toward Optimization.

A research paper which tests multiple grippers, including the MultiChoiceGripper.



Height	215
Diameter	148
Weight	660	g
Material	Aluminium (anodised), partly tool-grade steel
Operating pressure	8	bar