BOSTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / December 10, 2020 / MassRobotics is pleased to announce that FESTO, a MassRobotics partner, in collaboration with Magswitch, is the winner of the 2020 GM Gripper Challenge. FESTO's design concept was selected for its ability to handle a variety of parts, in addition to avoiding occluding a part when gripped.
"The technology challenge hosted by MassRobotics provided an excellent platform for collaboration and rapid development of innovative solutions," said Joseph Cyrek, Magswitch CEO.
Stephen Vidler, Festo Global Key Account Manager, Automotive Industry Segment, added, "This project was an opportunity to demonstrate with Magswitch how well our respective engineering teams combine their expertise in motion and gripping to solve a handling challenge found in many different applications."
General Motors' Global Innovation organization sponsored MassRobotics' GM Gripper Challenge, which called for the development of a universal end effector capable of grasping and holding a variety of sheet metal components for precise robotic assembly. The participants of the GM Gripper Challenge were empowered to develop their own IP around the project and release it to a broader market. MassRobotics has been linking innovation and leading industry partners since 2015, enabling the discovery of strategic solutions for difficult-to-solve production problems.
"At GM, we not only focus on innovating new business solutions ourselves, but also working with others to develop new ideas and solutions," said Robert Tiderington, Senior Manager, GM Global Innovation. "We look forward to further exploring FESTO's concept, which we believe may assist in our manufacturing operations."
Despite manufacturing, prototyping and office occupancy restrictions due to COVID, in the span of five months MassRobotics held a virtual kick-off event, teams submitted their entries and worked rapidly to develop a prototype gripper that fit GM's specifications. A variety of teams entered from large organizations, research institutions and small startups.
"The GM Gripper Challenge demonstrated the foundation of our unique partnership model," said Fady Saad, cofounder and VP of strategic partnerships, MassRobotics. "We're able to connect robotic ecosystem stakeholders to establish market pull and accelerate the commercialization of robotics technologies. This challenge was a huge success for participants, especially in such a challenging year."
MassRobotics' thriving community and extended network of robotics companies simplified the rapid coordination of a wide range of solutions offered by an international scope of candidates. Events and challenges such as Robotics in Manufacturing and the GM Gripper Challenge highlight the necessary connection between large manufacturing companies and solutions created by innovative robotics startups.
About MassRobotics
MassRobotics is the result of the collective work of a group of engineers, rocket scientists and entrepreneurs with a shared vision to create a strong, vibrant robotics and IoT ecosystem in Massachusetts. MassRobotics' mission is to help create and scale the next generation of successful robotics and connected devices companies by providing entrepreneurs and innovative robotics/automation startups with the workspace and resources they need to develop, prototype, test and commercialize their products and solutions. See www.massrobotics.org for details.
About General Motors
General Motors (GM) is a global company committed to delivering safer, better and more sustainable ways for people to get around. General Motors, its subsidiaries and its joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac, Baojun and Wuling brands. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety and security services, can be found at https://www.gm.com.
About FESTO
Festo is a leading manufacturer of pneumatic and electromechanical systems, components, and controls for process and industrial automation. For more than 40 years, Festo Corporation has continuously elevated the state of manufacturing with innovations and optimized motion control solutions that deliver higher performing, more profitable automated manufacturing and processing equipment.
About Magswitch
Magswitch Technology, headquartered in Colorado, USA is a leader in switchable magnetic technology. From initial development, design and engineering to manufacturing, final delivery, and distribution, Magswitch has paved the way for innovation in multiple industries across the globe.
CONTACT:
Andrew Doucette
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SOURCE: MassRobotics