Robotic Grippers Market

How big is Robotic Grippers Market in 2026?

Demand is projected to expand at 9.4% CAGR from 2026 to 2036. Market value rises from USD 2,034.6 million in 2025 to USD 2,225.9 million in 2026 and USD 5,466 million by 2036.

The global robotic grippers market covers end effectors that grip, hold and manipulate objects in industrial and logistics operations. FMI’s forecast places market value at USD 2,034.6 million in 2025 and USD 2,225.9 million in 2026, reaching USD 5,466.0 million by 2036 at a CAGR of 9.4% for 2026 to 2036. Parallel and two-jaw grippers are expected to account for approximately 50% of product-type revenue in 2026. Material handling is projected to represent about 65% of application revenue, encompassing picking, placing and transfers between process stages.

Demand develops as factories automate repeated handling tasks, adapt cells to new products and replace end effectors in existing installations. Sensing research is expanding the ways those systems assess contact. Glasgow Caledonian University’s 2025 soft-fruit work examines tactile assessment of local deformation, while Bristol investigates suction-flow perception. [1][3] MIT’s December 2025 biohybrid tendon study explores a muscle-powered laboratory gripper. [2] These distinct research directions sit alongside NIST’s programme on repeatable grasping and manipulation tests, updated in October 2026, which supports comparison of defined handling tasks. [4]

Across the profiled geographies, South Korea has the highest projected CAGR at 9.5% for 2026 to 2036, followed by the European Union regional aggregate at 9.4%, the UK at 9.3%, the USA at 9.2% and Japan at 9.1%. Application demand ranges from replacements within established cells to complete new handling arrangements, with object variation and existing control interfaces shaping the equipment required.

SCHUNK GmbH & Co. KG, PIAB AB, Zimmer Group, OnRobot and Festo SE & Co. KG are the named competitive participants. Differentiation rests on contact geometry, sensing and control interfaces, and repeatable performance across the intended object range. Acceptance testing connects those features with the full grasp, movement and release sequence. Clear integration responsibilities and support for faults or replacements influence the value of the end effector throughout the wider cell’s operating life.

Key Market Trends & Insights

• Optical tactile research examines local deformation when a gripper handles delicate fruit. [1]
• Suction-flow research combines grasping with perception in an experimental soft robot. [3]
• NIST’s current programme emphasizes test methods and repeatable comparison of robotic grasping performance. [4]

Regional Highlights

• South Korea leads the five projected country profiles at 9.5% CAGR for 2026 to 2036; the EU regional aggregate follows at 9.4%.
• The UK, USA and Japan are profiled at 9.3%, 9.2% and 9.1% respectively over the forecast period.
• UK and US university work supplies bounded examples of end-effector research rather than national sales or adoption rates. [1][2][3]

Market Size & Forecast

Table 1: Market Size and Forecast for Robotic Grippers Market (USD million and percentage), 2025 to 2036

Metric	Value
Market value (2025)	USD 2,034.6 million
Market forecast (2026)	USD 2,225.9 million
Market forecast (2036)	USD 5,466.0 million
Forecast CAGR (2026 to 2036)	9.4%

The market is expected to reach USD 5,466.0 million by 2036 as customers extend automation across repeated handling tasks. A new robotic cell creates a different purchase from an end-effector replacement within an existing installation. New equipment can be specified together, whereas a retrofit must fit the customer’s established mechanical and control interfaces. Buyers therefore need to assess the object range, acceptable damage and required transfer sequence alongside the quoted device. Suppliers with useful application information and a clear responsibility boundary can make proposals easier to compare. Continuing support also matters because a damaged or unsuitable end effector can interrupt the wider cell even when the robot arm remains available.

The Industrial Robot Market covers the wider automation equipment in which an end effector operates.

Grasp performance belongs to the object and the complete handling task

A successful hold does not by itself establish an acceptable production cycle. The customer also needs to know how the object is detected, transferred and released. A Glasgow Caledonian University research record describes a tactile-sensor arrangement for examining surface deformation in soft fruit. [1] That work provides a concrete example of application measurement, while the broader NIST programme develops methods for comparing grasping and manipulation. [4] The purchasing implication is to define the test task and the information needed from the proposed end effector. This connects the gripper’s mechanical specification with the result the customer needs to repeat during normal operation.

Table 2: Industry evidence relevant to the robotic grippers market

Indicator	Data point or observation	Market relevance	Source
Tactile sensing	An April 2025 university record describes image-based surface-deformation assessment.	Delicate-object handling needs an application-specific acceptance basis.	[1]
Suction perception	Bristol reported suction-flow sensing research in May 2025.	Contact conditions can matter alongside holding force.	[3]
Performance methods	NIST’s programme was updated in October 2026.	Repeatable tests help compare end effectors for a defined task.	[4]

Analyst Perspective

“The useful equipment comparison is the complete object-handling cycle. Grasping, movement, release and fault recovery need a common test basis, with the customer’s actual objects and integration responsibilities included before acquisition price is compared.”

- Nikhil Kaitwade, Future Market Insights

A laboratory demonstration can identify a design route; a production purchase also needs a repeatable task and continuing support.

How is the Robotic Grippers Market segmented?

The market is segmented by Product Type, Application, End Use, and Region.

Product type describes the gripping mechanism, application describes the task and end use identifies the customer sector. Jaw grippers in this outlook refer to parallel and two-jaw configurations; angular and three-jaw designs remain a separate product category. This distinction allows customers to compare contact arrangements without grouping every mechanical configuration together. Material handling covers transfers such as picking, placing and moving objects between stages. The proposed device still needs to match the object’s size, surface and permissible deformation. Sensing and control can also change the system required around the mechanical mechanism, so the purchase specification needs a complete application definition.

Why do jaw grippers remain commercially relevant?

Table 3: Product Type Share for Robotic Grippers Market (percentage share), 2026

Product Type	Projected share (2026)
Jaw Grippers	50.0%
Other product types combined	50.0%
Total	100.0%

Table 4: Segment Position and Market Growth for Robotic Grippers Market, 2026 to 2036

Metric	Value
Global CAGR (2026 to 2036)	9.4%
Profiled product type segment	Jaw Grippers

Parallel and two-jaw grippers are expected to represent approximately 50% of product-type revenue in 2026. They provide a mechanical means of holding an object, but the useful commercial assessment goes beyond the mechanism’s name. Buyers need to understand the contact arrangement, required object movement and the response when the object varies. The 2025 soft-fruit study adds tactile sensing to a two-finger device, illustrating how a mechanical gripper can operate within a more complete measurement arrangement. [1] Its experimental result remains distinct from production-line throughput. Customers can compare offers more coherently when the gripping task and acceptance conditions are explicit, with integration and replacement responsibilities stated beside the equipment price. Angular and three-jaw designs remain separate configurations in the product comparison.

Jaw Grippers is expected to account for approximately 50% of product type revenue in 2026.

• Jaw Grippers is projected to represent about 50% of product type revenue in 2026.
• Contact geometry and the complete transfer task belong in the purchase specification.

What determines the material-handling purchase?

Table 5: Application Share for Robotic Grippers Market (percentage share), 2026

Application	Projected share (2026)
Material Handling	65.0%
Other applications combined	35.0%
Total	100.0%

Material handling is projected to represent about 65% of application revenue in 2026. The task requires the object to reach its next position in a condition the downstream process can accept. That can create different gripping and control requirements from a static hold or a laboratory demonstration. Customers need to define the object range, required movement and what happens when the grasp fails. NIST’s performance programme is relevant because it treats grasping and manipulation as measurable tasks within a defined test. [4] A supplier can make the offer more useful by identifying that acceptance basis and the continuing support included. This links the end-effector purchase with the complete transfer operation the customer intends to automate.

Material Handling is expected to account for approximately 65% of application revenue in 2026.

• Material Handling is projected to represent about 65% of application revenue in 2026.
• Contact geometry and the complete transfer task belong in the purchase specification.
• The Modular Robotics Market supplies related coverage of configurable automation systems.

What are the drivers, restraints, and opportunities in the Robotic Grippers Market?

Object-handling requirements support demand; application variation and integration constrain adoption; defined testing and continuing support improve the equipment offer.

Driver

Factories and handling operations need reliable ways to move objects through repeated tasks. A new cell can create an end-effector purchase, while a changed product can require a different contact arrangement within existing equipment. The economic driver is the customer’s need to perform that actual task with acceptable output and interruptions. Research into tactile sensing and suction perception illustrates different approaches to understanding contact conditions. [1][3] Suppliers can assess the opportunity more clearly by defining the object range and acceptance criteria early. That prevents a broad automation objective from concealing the mechanical, sensing or control work needed before the proposed gripper can serve the operation.

Restraint

An end effector that works with one object may need further qualification when material, surface or geometry changes. The public studies concern defined experiments, and the biohybrid device reported by MIT remains a laboratory research direction. [2] Customers also face integration work around sensing, robot control and the response to an unsuccessful grasp. A low device price may leave those responsibilities outside the offer. The commercial comparison therefore needs the actual task and an explicit division of support work. Repeatable test methods help buyers understand capabilities, while production acceptance still depends on the object and operating conditions the proposed installation must handle.

Opportunity

Suppliers can strengthen the offer through application testing and clear integration responsibilities. A customer needs to understand what evidence supports the proposed grasping task and how the device will be maintained when conditions change. NIST’s work on performance methods supplies a useful measurement context, while the university studies show different routes for investigating contact and actuation. [1][2][3][4] The commercial opportunity is to translate appropriate technical information into a usable acceptance plan for the actual cell. This can include object samples, agreed task conditions and continuing service, helping the buyer connect the equipment price with the work required to obtain reliable handling.

The Warehouse Robotics Market covers adjacent fulfilment automation, where object handling remains part of a wider workflow.

Which country CAGRs are profiled in the Robotic Grippers Market?

Table 6: Country CAGR Comparison for Robotic Grippers Market (CAGR percentage), 2026 to 2036

Country	CAGR
USA	9.2%
UK	9.3%
European Union	9.4%
Japan	9.1%
South Korea	9.5%

Country-wise Analysis

USA Robotic Grippers Market Outlook (2026 to 2036)

NIST’s current programme emphasizes grasping and manipulation measurement, which provides a useful context for equipment comparison. [4] A buyer needs the end effector assessed with its actual objects and transfer task rather than relying on the robot arm’s capability alone. New cells and replacement devices can leave different integration responsibilities with the customer. Suppliers can make those boundaries clear through a defined acceptance plan and support arrangement. The country forecast describes market value growth and does not determine the performance or payback of an individual handling operation.

UK Robotic Grippers Market Outlook (2026 to 2036)

University work provides examples of research into delicate-object handling: tactile assessment of fruit and suction-flow perception address different technical questions. [1][3] Their results remain attached to the tested systems. For a purchaser, the useful question is how the offered end effector will perform in its own complete handling sequence. A supplier can help by identifying the object range, acceptance conditions and integration work included in the price. The national market outlook remains separate from a claim that every production line can obtain the same result from a research design.

European Union Robotic Grippers Market Outlook (2026 to 2036)

The customer base can contain different objects and transfer requirements, so the same end-effector design will not necessarily serve every application. A useful procurement comparison starts with the actual contact task and the conditions under which it will be repeated. Buyers also need to identify control interfaces and responsibility for diagnosing a failed grasp. Suppliers can strengthen bids through a common acceptance basis and accessible replacement information. The regional forecast cannot establish one national adoption pattern or the operating performance of a particular gripper installation.

Japan Robotic Grippers Market Outlook (2026 to 2036)

A buyer changing an established robotic cell needs a gripper that fits both the object and the existing control arrangement. That differs from a new application where the robot, sensing and end effector can be considered together. The commercial comparison should identify how the complete transfer task will be tested and which support responsibilities remain with the purchaser. Clear product identification also helps when a replacement is required. The published national growth rate describes the market outlook rather than a universal change in cycle time or handling quality across Japanese installations.

South Korea Robotic Grippers Market Outlook (2026 to 2036)

South Korea has the highest of the five projected country CAGRs, at 9.5% for 2026 to 2036. The equipment opportunity still depends on the handling task the customer wants to perform. A gripper that holds one object successfully needs further assessment before it can be treated as suitable for a wider product range. Buyers can compare proposals more usefully when the object samples, acceptance criteria and integration responsibilities are defined. Suppliers should also explain how faults and replacements will be handled during continued operation. The market forecast does not establish a common performance improvement or deployment timetable for every factory and end-use category.

Who are the notable companies in the Robotic Grippers Market?

SCHUNK GmbH & Co. KG; PIAB AB; Zimmer Group; OnRobot; Festo SE & Co. KG

SCHUNK, PIAB, Zimmer Group, OnRobot and Festo are representative participants named in the market coverage. A buyer needs an equivalent handling task before comparing their proposals. The useful commercial distinction concerns the object-contact arrangement, sensing or control scope and the work required to integrate the device. A gripper-only quotation can leave a different responsibility boundary from a supported cell proposal. The table identifies comparison questions for that actual purchasing task.

Competitive Benchmarking: Robotic Grippers Market

Table 7: Competitive positioning for the robotic grippers market

Company	Positioning	Buyer comparison focus
SCHUNK GmbH & Co. KG	Robotic end-effector participant	Compare contact geometry and the complete tested handling task.
PIAB AB	Robotic end-effector participant	Assess object-surface conditions and the offered sensing or control scope.
Zimmer Group	Robotic end-effector participant	Identify mechanical and control interfaces within the existing cell.
OnRobot	Robotic end-effector participant	Review the integration and acceptance work included in the offer.
Festo SE & Co. KG	Robotic end-effector participant	Compare the application basis and continuing replacement support.

Key Developments in the Robotic Grippers Market

• GCU’s tactile soft-fruit study was first published online in April 2025. [1]
• Bristol reported its suction-perception research in May 2025. [3]
• MIT reported the hydrogel tendon biohybrid study in December 2025. [2]

Key Players in the Robotic Grippers Market

Robotic end-effector participant

• SCHUNK GmbH & Co. KG
• PIAB AB
• Zimmer Group
• OnRobot
• Festo SE & Co. KG

Robotic Grippers Market Report Scope

Table 8: Report Scope for Robotic Grippers Market, 2026 to 2036

Coverage field	Report scope
Market definition	Robot end effectors that grip, hold and manipulate objects across product, application and end-use categories.
Quantitative units	USD million and percentage
Forecast period	2026 to 2036
Segment benchmark	Projected revenue shares in 2026
Market breakdown	Product Type; Application; End Use
Profiled geographies	USA; UK; European Union; Japan; South Korea
Representative companies	SCHUNK GmbH & Co. KG; PIAB AB; Zimmer Group; OnRobot; Festo SE & Co. KG

Robotic Grippers Market Research Methodology

Table 9: Research Methodology for Robotic Grippers Market, 2026 edition

Method	Approach
Market coverage	Robot end effectors are compared by product type, application and end use.
Forecast period	The market outlook covers 2026 to 2036, with 2025 as the base year.
Segment comparison	Product and application tables show projected revenue shares for 2026.
Country comparison	National and regional CAGR forecasts cover 2026 to 2036.
Technical evidence	University studies retain their object, device and experimental settings; NIST provides a performance-measurement context.
Equipment assessment	Object contact, acceptance testing, integration and continuing support define the commercial comparison.

Robotic Grippers Market by Segments

Robotic Grippers Market segmented by Product Type:

• Jaw Grippers
• Angular & 3-Jaw Grippers
• Ring Grippers
• Needle Grippers
• Vacuum Cups
• Magnetic Grippers
• Special Purpose Grippers
• and Others

Robotic Grippers Market segmented by Application:

• Material Handling
• General Assembly
• Inspection
• Others

Robotic Grippers Market segmented by End Use:

• Automotive & Transportation
• Electronics & Semiconductors
• Food & Beverages
• Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals
• Logistics
• Healthcare
• and Others

Robotic Grippers Market by Region

• North America
  • United States
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
• Western Europe
  • Germany
  • France
  • United Kingdom
  • Italy
  • Spain
• Eastern Europe
  • Poland
  • Czech Republic
  • Romania
• East Asia
  • China
  • Japan
  • South Korea
• South Asia and Pacific
  • India
  • ASEAN
  • Australia
  • New Zealand
• Middle East and Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • United Arab Emirates
  • South Africa

Research Sources and Bibliography

• [1] Glasgow Caledonian University. 16 April 2025 early online; August 2025 issue. A novel opto-tactile sensing approach to enhance the handling of soft fruit
• [2] Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 1 December 2025. Artificial tendons give muscle-powered robots a boost
• [3] University of Bristol. 14 May 2025. Handy octopus robot can adapt to its surroundings
• [4] US National Institute of Standards and Technology. Updated 1 October 2026. Grasping, Manipulation, and Contact Safety Performance of Robotic Systems

This Report Answers

• How large is the robotic grippers market in 2026?
• What is the market forecast for 2036?
• Which product type is profiled?
• What share is material handling expected to hold?
• Which country has the highest listed CAGR?
• What should buyers test before selecting a gripper?