CONOR O'NEILPrincipal Mechanical EngineerTampa, FL
Berkshire Grey / SoftBank Robotics

Suction Gripper End Effector

View ProjectBerkshire Grey Scoop ReleaseFedEx Scoop Release

Engineering Problem

  • Grasp multiple packages in an unstructured trailer environment.
  • Maintain vacuum grip when only a portion of the suction array contacts packages.
Compliant gripper patent illustrationCompliant gripper interaction illustration

Compliant Gripper Design

Incorporated compliance mechanisms to conform the suction array to irregular, non-coplanar package surfaces.

Vacuum control patent illustrationVacuum valve patent illustration

Vacuum Control

Invented several high-flow vacuum-control concepts to automatically isolate unused suction cups and maintain vacuum at engaged cups.