Schmalz expands robotic gripping portfolio with mGrip launch following Soft Robotics asset acquisition
The announcement
German vacuum specialist Schmalz has introduced a new robotic gripper to the market under the product name mGrip. The release follows a strategic corporate move that took place in August 2024, when the family-owned company based in Glatten, Germany, acquired the flexible gripping product assets from Soft Robotics Inc. The transaction, the financial terms of which were not disclosed, has allowed Schmalz to broaden its existing gripper portfolio and enter a segment of the automation market that has been growing in prominence.
The acquisition itself was part of a larger restructuring at Soft Robotics Inc., a company that had been active in the fields of soft gripping, 3D vision, and artificial intelligence for industrial automation. In connection with the sale of its gripper business assets, Soft Robotics announced that it would reform and rebrand under the name Oxipital AI. The new entity is focused on delivering what it describes as transformative AI technology to customers in critical industries, with the stated aim of enabling a new generation of resilient, efficient, and sustainable manufacturing.
For Schmalz, the acquisition marks a notable milestone in the company's expansion within the robotics and automation sector. The company, which has long been recognized for its vacuum technology expertise, is now positioning itself more firmly in the robotic end-of-arm tooling space. The mGrip gripper is the first product release to emerge from this acquired technology base, signaling the company's intent to integrate the Soft Robotics assets into its own product line and go-to-market strategy.
The divestiture by Soft Robotics was described by the company as a significant milestone in its ten-year evolution. By shedding its gripper hardware business, Soft Robotics said it would be able to concentrate its resources and expertise on advancing the commercialization of its end-to-end visual AI solutions, which are optimized for high-speed product inspection and robotic picking. The company's new identity as Oxipital AI reflects this sharper focus on software and vision systems rather than physical gripping hardware.
Product and availability details
The mGrip robotic gripper is now available from Schmalz, according to the company's announcement. The product is described as a flexible gripping solution, a category that has gained traction in industries where handling a variety of shapes, sizes, and delicate materials is required. While the company has not released a full technical specification sheet in the public domain at the time of this writing, the product's positioning suggests it is intended for use in automated production environments where adaptability is a key requirement.
Specific details regarding the gripper's payload capacity, stroke, actuation method, or compatibility with specific robot brands have not been disclosed in the available source material. Similarly, pricing information has not been made public. What is known is that the mGrip is derived from technology that Soft Robotics had developed and commercialized prior to the asset sale. The acquisition included the flexible gripping product assets, which means the mGrip is built on a foundation of soft robotic technology that has been in development for a decade.
The timeline of the product's release is notable. The acquisition was completed in August 2024, and the mGrip was announced in March 2025. This roughly seven-month gap between the transaction closing and the product launch suggests that Schmalz moved relatively quickly to integrate the acquired technology into its own product development and manufacturing processes. The company has not stated whether the mGrip is a direct rebranding of an existing Soft Robotics product or a new iteration developed after the acquisition. Given the lack of explicit information, it would be premature to speculate on the degree of modification.
What is clear is that Schmalz is treating the mGrip as a core part of its expanding gripper portfolio. The company's historical strength has been in vacuum-based gripping solutions, which are widely used in material handling applications across industries such as packaging, automotive, and logistics. The addition of a flexible gripper based on soft robotic technology represents a diversification of the company's technical approach, moving beyond vacuum-only solutions to include mechanical and adaptive gripping methods.
The mGrip's positioning within Schmalz's broader product lineup has not been fully detailed in the source material. However, the company has indicated that the acquisition enhances its capabilities in the robotics and automation sector, which suggests the mGrip is intended to be a strategic product rather than a niche offering. The flexible gripping category has been of increasing interest to system integrators and end users who face challenges with traditional rigid grippers when handling items of varying geometry or fragile surfaces.
What it means for buyers
For buyers in the European and global automation markets, the introduction of the mGrip by Schmalz carries several implications. First, it adds a new option to a segment that has historically been dominated by a relatively small number of specialized suppliers. Soft Robotics had established a reputation in the flexible gripping space, and the transfer of its product assets to Schmalz means that this technology is now backed by a larger, more established industrial group. Schmalz's existing sales channels, service network, and manufacturing infrastructure could make the technology more accessible to a broader customer base.
Second, the acquisition and subsequent product launch signal a consolidation trend in the robotic gripping market. As automation becomes more pervasive across industries, the tools at the end of robotic arms are becoming more sophisticated. Companies that previously focused on a single gripping technology are now expanding their portfolios to cover multiple approaches. Schmalz's move into flexible gripping is consistent with this trend, as is Soft Robotics' decision to pivot toward AI software and vision systems.
Third, buyers should note that the mGrip is being offered by a company with deep expertise in vacuum technology. This could be relevant for applications where a combination of vacuum and mechanical gripping is required. While the source material does not specify whether the mGrip integrates vacuum capabilities, the company's background suggests that it has the technical knowledge to support customers in complex handling scenarios.
The undisclosed financial terms of the acquisition mean that buyers cannot infer pricing strategy from the transaction itself. However, the fact that Schmalz has chosen to bring the product to market under its own brand suggests a long-term commitment to the technology. Companies that invest in acquiring and rebranding product lines typically intend to support them with ongoing development, spare parts availability, and technical support. That said, the source material does not provide specific details on service agreements, warranty terms, or spare part lead times, and no such claims should be assumed.
For system integrators, the mGrip could offer a new tool for projects that require flexible handling. The soft robotic approach is particularly well-suited to applications involving food products, consumer goods, and other items that are prone to damage from rigid gripping mechanisms. The ability to adapt to different shapes without the need for tool changes is another potential benefit, although the source material does not quantify the degree of adaptability or provide case studies.
The rebranding of Soft Robotics to Oxipital AI also has implications for buyers who may have previously purchased grippers from Soft Robotics. These customers will now be dealing with Schmalz for their gripper hardware needs, while Oxipital AI will focus on vision and AI solutions. The transition appears to be orderly, with the asset sale completed in August 2024 and the product launch following in early 2025. However, the source material does not address how existing Soft Robotics gripper customers are being transitioned to Schmalz, nor does it specify whether existing warranties or support agreements are being honored.
From a market perspective, the entry of Schmalz into the flexible gripping segment could increase competition, which may benefit buyers through more options and potentially more favorable pricing. Schmalz is a well-capitalized, family-owned company with a global presence, and its ability to scale production and distribution could put pressure on other flexible gripper suppliers to differentiate themselves through performance, price, or service.
The mGrip's release also comes at a time when the broader robotics industry is seeing increased investment in automation across manufacturing and logistics. Labor shortages, supply chain resilience concerns, and the push for more sustainable production methods are driving demand for robots that can handle a wider variety of tasks. Flexible gripping is a key enabler for such applications, as it reduces the need for custom tooling and allows robots to adapt to changing product mixes.
Buyers should also be aware that the mGrip is being launched without a full public specification disclosure. This is not unusual in the early stages of a product release, and potential customers would be well-advised to contact Schmalz directly for detailed technical documentation, compatibility information, and pricing. The source material does not provide contact details or a product page URL, so buyers should use Schmalz's official channels to obtain further information.
In terms of the competitive landscape, the mGrip will be entering a market that includes other flexible gripper manufacturers, as well as traditional two-finger and three-finger grippers from established automation suppliers. The soft robotic approach has been gaining acceptance in industries such as food handling and e-commerce fulfillment, where the variety of items and the need for gentle handling are significant. Schmalz's reputation for quality and reliability in vacuum technology could transfer to its new product line, although the company will need to demonstrate that the mGrip meets the same standards of durability and performance that customers expect from its other products.
The strategic logic behind the acquisition is clear. Schmalz gains access to a proven flexible gripping technology without having to develop it from scratch, while Soft Robotics (now Oxipital AI) can focus on its higher-margin AI software business. For buyers, the net effect is that a well-established industrial player is now offering a product that was previously available from a smaller, specialized company. This could result in improved availability, better support, and a more robust supply chain for the technology.
That said, the source material does not provide any information on production capacity, delivery times, or the geographical availability of the mGrip. Buyers outside of Europe should check with Schmalz's local representatives to determine whether the product is available in their region and under what terms.
The mGrip's launch is a reminder that the robotic gripping market is undergoing a period of consolidation and innovation. As AI and vision systems become more integrated with robotic hardware, the boundaries between gripper manufacturers, robot manufacturers, and software providers are blurring. Schmalz's decision to enter the flexible gripping segment positions it to participate in this convergence, even as its core vacuum business continues to serve traditional markets.
For now, the mGrip is a product to watch. The company has not yet published extensive performance data, and independent testing results are not available. Buyers who are considering the mGrip for their applications should request demonstrations and reference cases from Schmalz to validate the product's suitability for their specific needs. The source material does not indicate whether the mGrip has been deployed in any customer installations to date, so early adopters should be prepared to conduct their own validation testing.
In summary, the mGrip represents Schmalz's entry into the flexible robotic gripping market, following its acquisition of Soft Robotics' gripper assets in August 2024. The product is now available, although detailed specifications and pricing have not been publicly disclosed. The acquisition also marks a strategic pivot for Soft Robotics, which has rebranded as Oxipital AI to focus on visual AI solutions. For buyers, the mGrip offers a new option from a well-established manufacturer, but they should seek additional information from Schmalz to make an informed purchasing decision.
Sources
Published by Vigla Media OÜ (Estonia).