![]() This allows the grippers to pick up objects. The grippers use a flat pad of electrodes that create an electric field that adheres to most surfaces. Unlike many of today’s robots, Grabit doesn’t try to mimic human grasping techniques. It’s apparently adept at helping robots grasp objects in a novel way. Grabit’s Stackit robots don’t mimic human graspingĮlectroadhesion is the static electricity that makes your hair stand up when you rub it against a balloon. This article examines Grabit’s technology and how it found the perfect robot arm for its grippers. Grabit says the apparel industry is a $200-$300 million market for robotics makers. The sneaker giant not only acquired a minority stake in Grabit in 2013, it is installing about a dozen Stackit robots throughout factories in Mexico and China. Nike is a firm believer in Grabit’s technology. Grabit customers pay a fee for the software and have to periodically replace the electroadhesive pads. ![]() The robots reportedly cost $100,000 each. At this pace, Nike’s return on investment (ROI) would be two years. Over the course of an eight-hour shift, Grabit’s Stackit robots can help make 300-600 pairs of Nikes. Using Grabit‘s electroadhesion-based robotic grippers, Nike can now manufacture its shoe uppers in as little as 50 seconds. It can take a human worker up to 20 minutes to arrange those materials.Ī Silicon Valley-based startup is helping Nike assemble shoe uppers more than 20 times faster than humans. Assembling a pair of Nikes, for example, requires up to 40 pieces of material to be stacked and heated to create the shoe upper, which is the flexible part that sits on top of your foot. Material handling is one of the most labor-intensive and expensive aspects of manufacturing. Grabit’s shoemaking robot at company headquarters in Sunnyvale, Calif.
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