Project

SMART Grip - Steel Sheet e-Magnetic Automated Retrieval Gripper

Acronym
SMARTGrip
Code
F2024/IOF-StarTT/022
Duration
01 October 2024 → 31 December 2025
Funding
Regional and community funding: Industrial Research Fund
Research disciplines
  • Engineering and technology
    • Automation and control systems
    • Electromagnetism and antenna technology
    • Robotics and automatic control
    • Robot manipulation and interfaces
    • Sensing, estimation and actuating
Keywords
closed-loop control gripper automated force control Metal sheet handling tactile sensor robotics versatile electromagnetic
 
Project description

Every year, over 1 gigaton of metal sheets are produced and manipulated across industries like construction, machinery and transportation, driving a need for efficient handling methods. Existing robotic solutions like suction cups or magnetic grippers fall short in handling sheet variability, perforated or greasy sheets, and precise single or multiple sheet handling. The IOF project aims to establish a spin-off company to commercialize SMARTGrip, a solution capable of addressing these challenges. Our SMARTGrip utilizes tactile sensor feedback to handle variable sheet dimensions, perforations and effortless (de-)stacking, without requiring prior knowledge of sheet geometry. The project seeks to further explore market opportunities, develop a business plan, and advance the technology to an industrial Proof-of-Concept through applied research aligned with market opportunities.