Soft Robotics, Bedford, Mass., announced a strategic partnership with FANUC, Japan, to accelerate the adoption of integrated soft robotic solutions into high-growth automation markets worldwide.

Soft Robotics’ mGrip modular gripper system and automation solutions have enabled the implementation of robotic applications in consumer goods manufacturing, food processing and packaging and e-commerce supply chain automation. Through this partnership, users of FANUC robots are able to directly program and implement Soft Robotics’ proprietary technology into their workstreams.

"Soft Robotics has demonstrated its distinct expertise in tackling some of the most vexing problems facing the food, beverage and consumer goods industries, particularly with respect to the high variability of products and processes,” says Kenichiro Abe, senior managing officer, general manager, Robot Mechanical Development Laboratory, FANUC. “Together, we can move robots off of the assembly line into more real-world applications and provide differentiated value to high-growth markets where automation has historically been infeasible.”

“This historic partnership is a true validation of our award-winning products and technology. When combined with FANUC’s global reach in robotics, we will be able to offer end-users and system integrators a single, powerful and agile automation solution to address the unique needs of underserved markets,” adds Carl Vause, chief executive officer, Soft Robotics.