Ingriper

Ingriper is a term used in robotics and mechanical engineering to describe a device, method, or system intended to increase the reliability and strength of a grasp by enhancing contact forces or adhesion between a gripper and the object. The word combines grip with the agentive suffix -er and is often used to refer to a class of gripper augmentations rather than a single product.

Ingrip technology aims to address challenges such as irregular object geometry, slippery surfaces, and variable payloads. Techniques include modifying the gripper surface with micro- and nano-scale textures to distribute pressure more evenly, introducing compliant or adaptive fingers that conform to shapes, employing vacuum or suction mechanisms, and using electroadhesion or dry adhesives. Some designs integrate multiple approaches, forming a hybrid ingriper.

Variants include passive ingripers, which rely on physical structure and material properties, and active ingrippers, which are controlled in real time to adjust grip force and contact area. Performance metrics typically consider grip force, contact stability, slip resistance, payload range, and energy consumption.

Applications span industrial automation, object manipulation in cluttered environments, agricultural picking, prosthetic devices, and search-and-rescue robotics. Limitations involve added weight, fabrication complexity, and potential damage to delicate objects.

The concept remains a descriptive term rather than a universal standard, with ongoing research exploring optimal textured surfaces, compliant mechanisms, and control strategies to improve grip across diverse tasks.