Picking up and moving irregular or fragile objects can be difficult to automate. Robotic graspers require awareness of the object's shape and areas of fragility. The pressure must be strong enough to hold the object's weight but delicate enough not to cause damage.

A research group out of Prof. Rob Wood's Microrobotics Lab has invented a soft robotic end effector using elongated, high aspect-ratio filaments actuated by fluid pressure, cables, etc., to grasp complex and fragile objects by entangling them. The filaments’ curling motions passively conform to diverse shapes through collective entanglement and do not rely on direct feedback control. Compared to traditional robotic graspers that require precise planning and feedback, the entangling process is robust and adaptable, accommodating irregular and diverse geometries. Even for heavy objects, where a stronghold is required, individual filaments apply weak pressure, broadly distributing the forces applied to the item being grasped and keeping it from damage.

The grasper is well-suited to applications in agriculture and aquaculture that require delicate handling of fragile, non-standard materials such as plants and marine life. The grasping filaments can be customized to match the requirements for specific applications. Beyond lifting and transporting objects, the grasping filaments can also monitor items, for example, by attaching sensors to them.