This Robotic Gripper Can Manipulate Objects Without Touching Them

Manipulating objects without even touching them is now possible with the work of Marcel Schuck, a scientist from ETH Zurich and his robotic gripper.

The invention will be of great help when we need to pick up or move something too delicate to be handled in the conventional way of using the existing robotic arm gripper.

The robotic gripper works based on sound wave technology and it consists of two semi-spheres that take the shape of earcups you can see on headphones.

Sandwiched between them is a smaller sphere that stays afloat by ultrasound waves, the whole phenomena is called acoustic levitation. The method can ensure the safety of fragile objects which can cost us a lot if they are damaged.

Some of the applications of the tech are in the semiconductor industry and watchmaking. There are soft grippers that can handle delicate objects but their accuracy is limited as the cost.

The robotic gripper works by making use of ultrasound waves that humans cannot sense. When the waves overlap, they create pressure points. When an object is between these points, what we see is that it seems to float in the air.

For now, all the scientist has is a prototype of the tech with the small loudspeakers printed out by 3D printers.

What is next is to develop the tech so that when we change the position of the pressure points, that of the object will change accordingly in real-time.

If they succeed in this endeavor, the robotic gripper can handle just about any objects, regardless of their shapes. After that, they will start a company to commercialize the technology.

If you are fascinated by making one of your own, search “how to make a robotic arm gripper” and you will find of kinds of guidance to start with.

You can come up with a robotic arm gripper design of your own if you are inspired by what Marcel Schuck has done here.

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