Soft Gripper Market Size – By Component, By Material, By Application– Global Forecast, 2025 – 2034

Soft Gripper Market Size

The global soft gripper market size was valued at USD 678 million in 2024 and is estimated to grow at CAGR of 35.1% to reach USD 12.8 billion by 2034. The market is experiencing significant growth, driven by the technological advancements in soft robotics and increasing demand for automation in food and beverage industry.

The advancement of soft robotics has greatly increased the use of soft grippers in different sectors. The progress of soft robotics is directly tied to advancements in materials science, including the development of soft grippers’ self-healing, food-safe, and recyclable materials. For example, the SoftGrip Project seeks to develop intelligent soft grippers with the sensing and actuation capabilities necessary to enable automation in the food industry to aid in the tender harvesting of food crops to reduce labor costs. Furthermore, some industry collaborations have developed ultra-strong soft grippers that can lift relatively heavier objects. A prime example includes KAIST and KIST’s development of a light-weight, inexpensive soft robotic gripper that can grasp and maintain grips on objects above 100 kg and only weighs 130 grams. Such advancements will increase domestic and industrial use. 
 

These developments improved the functionality of soft grippers, augmenting the precision with which tasks are performed, thus making previously impossible tasks feasible with the use of traditional grippers. They will also allow for greater levels of automation in agriculture, manufacturing, and logistics due to the incorporation of AI and machine learning algorithms.
 

The market for Soft Grippers is also greatly increased using industrial automation and Industry 4.0 technology. There is an increased use of IoT based systems by the manufacturers in the automotive, aerospace and logistics industries for productivity improvement and minimization of downtimes. These sophisticated industrial systems use Soft Grippers that provide predictive maintenance, remote monitoring, and analytic capabilities. For example, Statista reported that the number of IoT devices in the manufacturing industry is expected to grow to over 24 billion by 2030, indicating that the IoT-driven automation investment is growing in the sector.

The drive toward automation of industries at the international level is increasing the use of Soft Grippers. An instance is China's “Made in China 2025” program that seeks to improve smart IoT, robotics, and AI-enabled manufacturing processes. The same is true for the U.S. government, which is supporting the establishment of digital manufacturing hubs to promote smart factory automation. All these initiatives have created a need for high-performance microcontrollers with capabilities of complex industrial functions like real-time data handling, edge analytics, and secure data transmission. There is a growing trend toward automated interconnectivity in industries Soft Grippers are likely to remain in high demand as they are fundamental for the digitization of industrial transformations.
 

Soft Gripper Market Trends

• One of the key trends significantly impacting the soft gripper technologies are increasing integration of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. These advancements allow grippers to learn from experiences, improving their recognition and manipulation skills, and expanding their application within complex automation systems.
   
• Advancements in material science, like the development of soft and rigid polymers, are improving the performance of soft grippers. These polymers make it possible for grippers to adapt to the contours of various objects, delicately handle fragile items, and carry out complex manipulation tasks with a high degree of precision and control.
   
• There is increasing need for the use of environmentally friendly and energy saving materials and designs intended for soft grippers and actuators. There is much active research aimed at developing sustainable frameworks to help achieve international ecological goals and capture market attention from those who actively look for green products.
   
• The growing popularity of collaborative robots, or cobots, presents a major opportunity for the soft gripper market. Cobots are meant to function with human operators and offer flexible and safe automation solutions. Their gentle handling capabilities make soft grippers ideal for integration with cobots, enhancing their versatility and range of applications.
   
• Soft grippers are being developed for particular applications with the aim of making them more useful and effective across various industries, thus customized gripping solutions is the trend. Customization is the new trend as it offers a higher level of personalization.
   

Soft Gripper Market Analysis

Based on component, the market is divided into soft actuators, soft sensors, control systems, power sources and others
 

• The soft actuators market is valued at 246.9 million in 2024. The use of soft actuators in robotic systems provides safe, adaptive motion for human-robot interaction in industrial and service applications. Growth in the collaborative robot (cobot) market, as well as the general flexibility in automation, is driving the market's growth.
   

• The control systems held a significant market share of over 19.1% in 2024. Robotic systems that are powered by AI algorithms allow for real-time adaptability and precision in soft robotic applications by making changes through sensory feedback. Soft actuators used in delicate operations require advanced feedback control systems in industries like healthcare and manufacturing.
   

Based on material, the market is divided into elastomers, gels, fabrics and others.
 

• The elastomers market is expected to reach over USD 6.57 billion by 2034. Medical-grade silicones and polyurethanes as well as soft grippers are becoming more used because of their high elasticity for elastomers due to their mechanical resilience. Innovation in the composites of elastomers permits the modification of the composite's properties which increases the effectiveness of robotics, consumer electronics and automation.
   

• The gels market is valued at over USD 87 million in 2024. Hydrogels were noted as an up-and-coming technology in biologically compatible environments like tissue engineering, where they are used as drug delivery systems and artificial muscles. With the development of soft robotics, there's a growing interest in gels that respond to stimuli like light, temperature, pH, and degree which can change form.
   

Based on application, the soft gripper market is segmented into healthcare and medical, food and beverage, logistics and warehousing, automotive, agriculture, electronics and others.
 

• The healthcare and medical segment held a market share of 17.1% in 2024. The surgical field is being transformed by soft robotics, which offers flexible instruments that can adapt to the needs of the body and can deliver minimal damage to neighboring tissues, increasing accuracy and control for minimally invasive surgeries. With the first step soft robotics, movement in prosthetic, exoskeleton and rehabilitation devices is now more natural rendering a smoother transition for patients and improve their mobility.

• The food and beverages are expected to reach over USD 3.52 billion by 2034. The application of soft grippers and actuators is expanding during the automation of food processing and packaging for delicate products such as fruits, baked items, and even eggs to avoid damage. The use of soft robotics, constructed of food-grade materials, such as silicone, guarantees compliance with stringent safety and sanitary requirements in food manufacturing.

The U.S. soft gripper market is projected to grow significantly, reaching over USD 3.84 billion by 2034. Investment in robotics and automation, particularly in health care, manufacturing, and defense, continues to drive growth in the U.S. soft actuators market. Intuitive Surgical and Boston Dynamics, leading players in medical robotics, softens the demand for surgical robots and assistive devices in remodeling medical robotics. Along with that, government-funded programs like the National Robotics Initiative (NRI) nurture advances in robotics research, including soft robotics. Support from world-renowned universities and research institutions like MIT and Harvard in the development of soft AI control systems and materials accelerates its democratization. Adoption of collaborative robots (cobots) also add up to the increase in demand in industries further amplifying growth in the market.  
 

Germany soft gripper market is expected to witness robust growth, with a CAGR of 37.4% by 2034. Germany, a centerpiece for industrial automation, is rivaling the United States in the field of robotics. The integration of soft actuators in robotic manufacturing and in the automotive sector is growing rapidly throughout the country. Germany’s Industry 4.0 Initiatives is galvanizing the application of intelligent automation frameworks resulting in the usage of flexible actuators in assembly line and logistics.
 

The China soft gripper market is projected to grow significantly, reaching over USD 1.78 billion by 2034. China is also capitalizing on the soft actuators market due to policies like the “Made In China 2025.” This policy along with automation in manufacturing, robotics in the healthcare industry, and agricultural-driven soft robotic solutions are on the rise. Companies like Siasun and Han’s Robot are constructing advanced soft grippers and flexible automation systems for use in industrial applications. The need for assistive and rehabilitative devices for the elderly is also growing which further fuels the need for soft actuators. In addition, China’s primacy in materials science research is supporting the development of soft actuators elastomers and gels.
 

Japan held a market size of USD 62 million in 2024. As a world leader in robotics, Japan is the most advanced in the development of soft actuators due to the need for eldercare robotics and the country’s aging population. SoftBank Robotics and Fanuc are working on incorporating soft actuators into humanoid robots and rehabilitation devices. The government of Japan also started new programs like the Robot Care Program which funds research aimed at developing robotic solutions for elderly care and other medical related uses.
 

South Korea soft gripper market is poised for significant growth, projected to reach over USD 712.5 million by 2034. The growth of South Korea's soft actuators market is being driven by the country's investment in robotics and AI technologies. R&D in soft robotics for healthcare, industrial automation, and wearable devices is being propelled by the government’s Intelligent Robot Development and Supply Promotion Act. As Samsung and Hyundai incorporate soft actuators into robotic solutions for logistics, home assistance, and autonomous driving technologies, the South Korean robotics industry continues to expand.
 

Soft Gripper Market Share

The soft gripper industry is highly competitive Applied Robotics (Effecto), ATI Industrial Automation and Destaco are the top 3 companies accounting for a significant share of 35% in the market.  Players operating in the global soft gripper market focus on implementing various growth strategies to enhance their product offerings and expand their market presence. These strategies include new product developments & launches, strategic partnerships & collaborations, mergers & acquisitions, and customer-centric innovations. Companies are continuously investing in advanced material development, AI-driven automation, and adaptive gripping technologies to improve the efficiency and versatility of soft grippers across industries.
 

Soft Gripper Market Companies

List of prominent players operating in the market include:

• Applied Robotics (Effecto)
• ATI Industrial Automation
• Destaco
• Festo AG
• Gimatic
• KUKA Robotics
   

DESTACO is enhancing its position in the industrial automation sector by developing innovative clamping and gripping solutions. The company's focus on electric and pneumatic automation products caters to industries such as automotive, aerospace, and packaging, aligning with the growing trend toward smart manufacturing and Industry 4.0. For instance, in February 2024, DESTACO introduced the 92W Series All-Electric Power Clamp, designed to reduce costs, CO? emissions, and energy consumption, supporting the transition to Industry 4.0.
 

KUKA Robotics, a subsidiary of KUKA AG, is a global automation corporation headquartered in Augsburg, Germany, with approximately 15,000 employees and annual sales around €4 billion. Renowned for its intelligent automation solutions, KUKA offers a comprehensive portfolio encompassing industrial robots, production machines, and turnkey systems, serving industries such as automotive, electronics, and consumer goods. For instance, in September 2024, KUKA announced the establishment of a new software and digital business segment, KUKA Digital. This initiative aims to drive the end-to-end digitalization of production facilities, from initial 3D simulations to connectivity, data analysis, and the application of artificial intelligence, thereby enhancing efficiency and flexibility in manufacturing processes.
 

Soft Gripper Industry News

• In April 2024, Soft Robotics Inc. announced today the expansion of the mGrip Modular Gripping System with new capabilities and an IP69K rating to enable safe food handling of proteins and dairy products. These new features put more capabilities into the hands of machine builders to design flexible end of arm tools that can withstand high-pressure washdown environments.
   
• In August 2024, The Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) has developed a soft gripper designed for diverse functionalities across various industries. This design earned the prestigious Iron A' Design Award, exemplifying SUTD's approach of integrating design and technology in research to ensure relevance and facilitate the transition from lab prototypes to commercial products.
   
• In September 2024, Researchers from the Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (JAIST) have introduced an innovative soft robotic gripper named ROtation-based Squeezing grippEr (ROSE), designed to adapt to complex shapes, sizes, and the delicate nature of crops. This development addresses the challenges conventional robotic grippers face in agriculture, offering a versatile solution for efficient crop harvesting.
   

The soft gripper market research report includes an in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates and forecast in terms of revenue (USD Million) from 2021 – 2034 for the following segments:

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Market, By Component

• Soft Actuators
• Soft Sensors
• Control Systems
• Power Sources
• Others

Market, By Material

• Elastomers
• Gels
• Fabrics
• Others  

Market, By Application

• Healthcare and Medical
• Food and Beverage
• Logistics and warehousing
• Automotive
• Agriculture
• Electronics
• Others  

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:

• North America 
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe 
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Spain
  • Italy
  • Netherlands
• Asia Pacific 
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • Australia
  • South Korea
• Latin America 
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Argentina
• Middle East and Africa 
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa
  • UAE