Gripper software adds flexibility to automated handling systems
3 August 2026 
Festo has introduced AI-powered gripper software that allows robots to handle mixed, unfamiliar and randomly positioned products without needing extensive programming, template loading or specialist vision integration. Designed for manufacturers wanting greater flexibility from their automated handling systems, the GripperAI software identifies the optimum gripping point for an item and selects the most appropriate gripper for the task from the end-of-arm tools available. It allows robots to adapt to changing product mixes in real time, helping manufacturers to deploy and scale automation more efficiently.
The software can work with a variety of gripping technologies, including vacuum and mechanical grippers, and supports automatic tool selection where applications require multiple gripping methods. It is suitable for applications where products vary significantly in shape, size or surface characteristics.
Operating locally on an industrial PC connected to a 3D camera, the software calculates gripping points automatically and communicates the required motion to the robot’s path control system. If a grip is unsuccessful, the software recalculates and retries the operation, helping to maintain productivity without interrupting the process.
The platform can be used with most industrial robots, cobots and Cartesian handling systems. Because the software architecture remains consistent with different cameras, users can choose the most cost-effective vision hardware rather than being tied to proprietary systems. This allows them to expand or upgrade their automated handling systems without being tied to a single robot, gripper or vision platform.
