Innovative Band Gripper Harvests Fruits with Care

A team of engineers from the University of California, San Diego, has developed an innovative gripper called GRIP-Tape (Grasping and Rolling In-Plane) designed to gently harvest delicate fruits. This device utilizes two rotating bands to effectively grasp and manipulate sensitive objects, making it suitable for use in harvesting robots as well as various applications such as screwing in light bulbs.

Harvesting fruits and vegetables with robotics presents unique challenges. While detecting the position of fruits on trees or shrubs is relatively straightforward, the actual harvesting process requires precision to avoid damaging the produce. Traditional grippers must be meticulously designed to handle this delicate operation, which often results in high complexity and cost.

The researchers at UC San Diego aimed to create a gripper that operates gently, is easy to control, and remains cost-effective. Their solution, as detailed in the study published in *Science Advances*, features two fingers made of rotating bands. This design allows for flexible and adaptable handling of various objects.

The primary advantage of using rotating bands for gripping lies in their construction. These bands are thin steel strips coated with soft materials, making them pliable enough to conform to the shape of the object being gripped while maintaining sufficient rigidity to apply the necessary force. This eliminates the need for complex sensors to gauge grip strength, as the material's softness minimizes the risk of injury to both the fruits and human operators.

The bands are configured to form a triangular shape, functioning as a "finger tip" that can move freely. Each finger is controlled by four independent motors, allowing for precise adjustments in length and positioning. This adaptability enables the gripper to reach distant or hard-to-access objects. The entire length of each band serves as a gripping surface, and their rotational motion simplifies the process of detaching fruits from their branches, as demonstrated in field tests conducted by the researchers.

According to the scientists, the applications for the GRIP-Tape extend beyond agricultural use. The device has also successfully been used to insert screws and light bulbs, showcasing its versatility.

Looking ahead, the research team plans to enhance the GRIP-Tape further by integrating additional sensors and artificial intelligence. This development aims to equip the gripper with autonomous capabilities, enabling it to perform harvesting tasks independently.