Revolutionizing Cobots: Piab and Purple Robotics Unveil Next‑Gen Grippers

Two companies have unveiled cutting‑edge grippers specifically engineered for the new generation of collaborative robots, or “cobots.”

Piab of Hingham, Massachusetts, introduced the Kenos KCS gripper, which claims to “handle just about anything, anywhere, at any time.” The device marries Piab’s proprietary pneumatic COAX technology—offering highly efficient vacuum ejection—with an easily replaceable “technical foam” pad that conforms to any surface or shape. Standard ISO interface adapters let the unit attach to any cobot on the market. Its lightweight body is made from 3D‑printed polymer, and a quick‑change system allows the same unit to be fitted with a special attachment for plastic bags.

In parallel, Danish startup Purple Robotics, founded by veterans of Universal Robots, released its first product, the PR10 dual electrical vacuum gripper for cobots. The PR10’s double‑grip capability lets it handle multiple items in a single operation, and because it requires no external air supply, users avoid cumbersome hoses and are immune to line‑pressure variations or air‑quality issues. Installation takes less than 30 minutes and requires no prior training.

Purple Robotics has secured two U.S. distributors: Olympus Controls in Tualatin, Oregon, and Thinkbot Solutions in Austin, Texas. “The PR10 is a one‑size‑fits‑all solution that eliminates the barrier to entry typically caused by customers’ unfamiliarity with pneumatics,” says automation engineer Nick Armenta of Olympus Controls. “A single package that can be bought off‑the‑shelf and deployed quickly without any engineering is a huge benefit for our customers.”