ROBOTICS CLUSTER

Company Spotlight: Soft Robotics
Soft Robotics, a spinoff from Harvard University’s Whitesides Research Group, is a developer of novel robotic
gripping technology for material-handling applications. The company, founded in 2013, closed its first
investment round—a US$5 million Series A—in December 2015.
Soft Robotics produces compliant, force-limiting, adaptable end-of-arm tooling (grippers), along with control
technology. A single gripper, using the same programming, can undergo elastic deformation, allowing it to
grasp and hold objects of varying size, weight, and shape. “Deformation,” a term borrowed from materials
science, describes the change in shape of an object when some type of force or action is applied—mechanical,
electrical, chemical, temperature, and so on. “Elastic deformation” implies that the object will return to
its original shape once the force is removed.
Many types of robotics automation applications require highly dexterous, precise grasping and fine manipulation
of objects in an accurate, delicate, yet firm manner. In the past, these applications required the use
of expensive, complex grippers only suitable for a limited number of tasks, and complex programming. Soft
Robotics’ gripping approach overcomes these limitations. More importantly, the company’s deformable and
pliant gripping technology can grasp and manipulate objects that are ill-suited for traditional grippers and
grasping, such as foodstuff, glassware, and cloth.
Why Soft Robotics Matters
Soft Robotics’ gripping technology supports new classes of automation tasks, and can introduce robotics
automation in many industries that previously have missed out on the benefits of robotics industrial automation.
In many instances, new opportunities and innovative applications will emerge with the development
of new technology.
6.3. PROFESSIONAL SERVICES SECTOR
In the past, the majority of robots were used in a manufacturing capacity. Today, robotics systems are
employed in a variety of non-manufacturing industries. These professional “service robots” are purchased
by corporate entities for business purposes, or by governmental agencies.
Service robots have found great success in the defense sector, where technologies like UASes have
mainstreamed completely. The same holds for the healthcare industry where robotic surgical and
therapeutic technologies, along with pharmacy automation and autonomous hospital delivery systems, are
Service robots are being used in a
variety of different industries and
markets, with funding coming from
both public and private sources.
common. Mobile robots for e-commerce fulfillment operations in warehouses, in agriculture performing
field work, or below ground inspecting sewers are also common. Service robots have applications in almost
every industry—anywhere tasks require continuously high levels of concentration and fine control, or
conversely, are repetitive, physically demanding, or take place in dangerous environments.
The market for professional service robots is sizable and growing. According to the latest figures from the
IFR, more than 24,000 service robots were sold in 2014 (Figure 5), attracting approximately US$3.77 billion
in sales (IFR, 2015-2).
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THE MASSACHUSETTS ROBOTICS CLUSTER
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