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Robot Gripper Test Object Challenge

Design a universal test object for robot grippers and solve an industry-wide problem for robotics manufacturers.

Experts from various robotics manufacturers have assembled a panel of judges to evaluate the entries. This is your chance to solve a real problem with a creative and useful solution.

What's the problem?

Robotic end effectors (also known as grippers or hands) enable robots to physically interact with objects in their environment. Designing better and better end effectors is a problem that many researchers and companies are trying to solve. However, all of these specialized solutions lead to big challenges in the robotics industry.

How do you select the most appropriate gripper and tester for a given task?
- Each gripping task is different and it’s often difficult to predict how well existing grippers could solve that task.
- Many standard specs like “maximum holding force” simply don’t provide enough information.
- Robot gripping tasks may be unusual.
- Robot gripper may be unorthodox.

The Challenge

The goal of this Challenge is to design a universal test object (or a set of test objects) to evaluate any gripper’s strengths and weaknesses and give a thorough understanding of its abilities.

Getting started

The problem we're addressing is that spec sheets are often insufficient to get a good understand of what a gripper can do. Remember the goal of this Challenge is to "design a universal test object (or a set of test objects) that could be used to evaluate any gripper’s strengths and weaknesses and thereby yield a comprehensive understanding of its capabilities." So, not only must the proposed object(s) be challenging, but there must be a clear path to use them in some testing procedure to generate highly communicative test results.

This Challenge will require highly creative design work and out-of-the-box thinking. There is no right answer. Here are some spec sheets from existing grippers:
Empire Robotics
Schunk
Piab
Robotiq
Schmalz
Barrett

Recommendations for your design

A focused, gripper-centric approach like this is not a good way to think about the challenge. Try to avoid this kind of thinking:

"The test object(s) should probably have a flat smooth surface for testing vacuum cups... A ridged or porous surface that will be challenging for vacuum cups... There should be parallel surfaces for testing jawed grippers, and non-parallel surfaces that will be challenging for jawed grippers".

Instead, an object-centric approach should yield better results. Try to take all the objects (especially those that are manufactured by humans) in the world and smash their features together in to the fewest possible objects.

For example, many objects have smooth flat surfaces so I can represent them all with one such surface on my test object. Many objects have parallel surfaces, many are metal, many are plastic, there are a lot of bottles in the world, lots of boxes, lots of cylinders, and you can go on and on.

Requirements

  • You must include:
    - STEP or IGES version
    - Rendering
    - Description supporting your design choices

  • You are encouraged to include:
    - Native CAD file in any format
    - More renderings
    - STL version

  • Design guidelines:
    - The proposed test object(s) must be capable of evaluating as many types of grippers or hands as possible, ranging from:
    ... VERSABALL®
    ...jamming grippers
    ...suction cups
    ...magnets
    ...pincher jaws
    ...multi-fingered hands
    ...and then keep going!
     
    - Use the least amount of objects needed to test as possible.
     
    - We will post results of a Pareto plot to determine how well entries performed. How successfully you maximized the testing ability of the object(s) and how well did you minimize the number of objects needed.
     
    - The proposed test object(s) must be physically realizable by some reproducible manufacturing method (e.g. machining, 3D printing, etc.). Let us know which method your design requires in the description.
     
    - Use your written description to detail all design decisions (how the object(s) would work and why their design makes sense).

Rules

  • ENTERING THE COMPETITION
    The Challenge is open to everyone except employees and families of GrabCAD and the Sponsor. Multiple entries are welcome. Team entries are welcome.
     
    By entering the Challenge you:
    1. Accept the official GrabCAD Challenges Terms & Conditions.
    2. Agree to be bound by the decisions of the judges (Jury).
    3. Warrant that you are eligible to participate.
    4. Warrant that the submission is your original work.
    5. Warrant, to the best of your knowledge, your work is not, and has not been in production or otherwise previously published or exhibited.
    6. Warrant neither the work nor its use infringes the intellectual property rights (whether a patent, utility model, functional design right, aesthetic design right, trademark, copyright or any other intellectual property right) of any other person.
    7. Warrant participation shall not constitute employment, assignment or offer of employment or assignment.
    8. Are not entitled to any compensation or reimbursement for any costs.
    9. Agree the Sponsor and GrabCAD have the right to promote all entries.
     
    If you think an entry may infringe on existing copyrighted materials, please email challenges@grabcad.com

  • SUBMITTING AN ENTRY
    Only entries uploaded to GrabCAD through the "Submit entry" button on this Challenge page will be considered an entry. Only public entries are eligible.
     
    We encourage teams to use GrabCAD Workbench for developing their entries.
     
    Entries are automatically given the tag "robotgripper" when uploading to GrabCAD. Please do not edit or delete this tag. Only entries with valid tag will participate in the Challenge.

  • AWARDING THE WINNERS
    The sum of the Awards is the total gross amount of the reward. The awarded participant is solely liable for the payment of all taxes, duties and other similar measures if imposed on the reward pursuant to the legislation of the country of his/her residence, domicile, citizenship, workplace, or any other criterion of similar nature. Only 1 award per person.
     
    All winners will be contacted by the GrabCAD staff to get their contact information and any other information needed to get the prize to them. Payment of cash awards is made through PayPal. All team awards will be transferred to the member who entered the Challenge.
     
    *Transportation to Empire Robotics is not included.
     
    We will release the finalists before the announcement of the winners to give the Community an opportunity to share their favorites in the comments, discuss concerns, and allow time for any testing or analysis by the Jury. The Jury will take the feedback into consideration when picking the winners.
     
    Winning designs will be chosen based on the Rules and Requirements.
    - This Challenge ends on May 25, 2014 (11:59pm UTC).
    - Finalists will be announced by June 9, 2014.
    - Winners will be announced by June 25, 2014.
     
    Void where prohibited.

Prizes

1st Prize

$400 + Empire Robotics facilities tour * + Empire Robotics mug

2nd Prize

$100 + Empire Robotics mug

3rd - 10th Prize

GrabCAD multitool

About the jury?

The judging panel is comprised of industry leaders, experts, and innovators in a range of fields related to robotics from Empire Robotics, Robotiq, Schunk, American Grippers, Yaskawa America-Motoman Robotics Division and FIPA.

About Empire Robotics

Empire Robotics, Inc. designs and manufactures high-functioning robot grippers and automation components. We provide highly capable and cost effective grippers to robot manufacturers, integrators, and end users that enable versatile and adaptive gripping operations with a single inexpensive tool. Our jamming-based VERSABALL® grippers are setting the new standard for agile manufacturing.

41 comments

  • Abhishek Choudhury

    Abhishek Choudhury about 11 years ago

    I am In.. This is something different!!!

    Abhishek Choudhury has uploaded 94 CAD models & has left 822 comments.
  • Abhishek Choudhury

    Abhishek Choudhury about 11 years ago

    i hav a query: Is there any limitation for dimensions??

    Abhishek Choudhury has uploaded 94 CAD models & has left 822 comments.
  • ALEXANDRE DROT

    ALEXANDRE DROT about 11 years ago

    oh oh! very interesting!

    ALEXANDRE DROT has uploaded 22 CAD models & has left 55 comments.
  • ALEXANDRE DROT

    ALEXANDRE DROT about 11 years ago

    the name of the challenge could be "catch me if you can!"

    ALEXANDRE DROT has uploaded 22 CAD models & has left 55 comments.
  • Kaushal Patel

    Kaushal Patel about 11 years ago

    Wow...Great Challange. I like to take part because Only creativity can win.

    Kaushal Patel has uploaded 23 CAD models & has left 102 comments.
  • Mart Berghs

    Mart Berghs about 11 years ago

    The gripper in action, see link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKOI_lVDPpw

    Mart Berghs has uploaded 763 CAD models & has left 1084 comments.
  • Jonathan Brazeau

    Jonathan Brazeau about 11 years ago

    Very Cool!

    Jonathan Brazeau has uploaded 209 CAD models & has left 2121 comments.
  • Ernesto Chavez

    Ernesto Chavez about 11 years ago

    A very interesting challenge indeed.

    Ernesto Chavez has uploaded 4 CAD models & has left 83 comments.
  • The Ultimaker

    The Ultimaker about 11 years ago

    Are you paying for my flight to the USA for the tour? :O)

    The Ultimaker has uploaded 13 CAD models & has left 149 comments.
  • Matt Lothe

    Matt Lothe about 11 years ago

    Does it matter what material we use for the render?

    Matt Lothe has uploaded 42 CAD models & has left 26 comments.
  • Paul

    Paul about 11 years ago

    I saw you guys talk at a Meetup at Bolt a couple months back! Loved the idea and love this challenge!

    Paul has uploaded 4 CAD models & has left 4 comments.
  • Ruan Pretorius

    Ruan Pretorius about 11 years ago

    I must say the Empire Robotics gripper is smart thinking – I love the way it operates!!! The Link @singlefonts showed its simply amazing!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKOI_lVDPpw Nice Competition

    Ruan Pretorius has uploaded 46 CAD models & has left 151 comments.
  • Ruan Pretorius

    Ruan Pretorius about 11 years ago

    Thanks for sharing the link @singlefonts

    Ruan Pretorius has uploaded 46 CAD models & has left 151 comments.
  • Abhishek Choudhury

    Abhishek Choudhury about 11 years ago

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmpEiKvqdRY
    robot classifying pills

    Abhishek Choudhury has uploaded 94 CAD models & has left 822 comments.
  • Abhishek Choudhury

    Abhishek Choudhury about 11 years ago

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkGuI4uiSLM
    robot picking test objects

    Abhishek Choudhury has uploaded 94 CAD models & has left 822 comments.
  • Pouriya

    Pouriya about 11 years ago

    I have a question it must be a general design or for each one must be specific design? (because they have different mechanism for gripping)

    Pouriya has uploaded 68 CAD models & has left 272 comments.
  • John Amend

    John Amend about 11 years ago

    Thanks for all the interest! Here are responses to some questions:

    1) Let's limit the size between something like a large marble and something like a cantaloupe.
    2) Unfortunately we cannot pay for transportation to Boston to collect the Empire Robotics facilities tour prize.
    3) You can use any material for the render, but remember from the rules: "The proposed test object(s) must be physically realizable by some reproducible manufacturing method (e.g. machining, 3D printing, etc.). Let us know which method your design requires in the description."
    4) If you choose to propose one object, it must be capable of evaluating all types of grippers, if you choose to propose multiple objects, you could for example design each for a different type of gripper.

    John Amend has uploaded 0 CAD models & has left 2 comments.
  • Amrish Choudhary

    Amrish Choudhary about 11 years ago

    hmm fantastic challengers and challenges ...

    Amrish Choudhary has uploaded 2 CAD models & has left 6 comments.
  • Edward Otter

    Edward Otter about 11 years ago

    Very Interesting!

    Edward Otter has uploaded 14 CAD models & has left 57 comments.
  • The Ultimaker

    The Ultimaker about 11 years ago

    Awww would love a go at this, but my PC has died so no designing until I buy another one :( Cool Robot video link!

    The Ultimaker has uploaded 13 CAD models & has left 149 comments.
  • John Amend

    John Amend about 11 years ago

    @pcorner - Thanks for your question. The goal is definitely to challenge all types of grippers (even including new designs as they are invented in the future). The test specifics are up to you. If you can provide a test procedure, that's great; if not, the judges will try to imagine what kinds of tests to perform with your object(s).

    John Amend has uploaded 0 CAD models & has left 2 comments.
  • Ralf Becker

    Ralf Becker about 11 years ago

    Hello Particpants - its great to see all your designs dealing with very different apprachs to the compeition. Fom the Schunk side I would really like you to focus on foms that have for example several stable positions to place them on a surface and also different kinds of exposed surfeces like bend ones or spheric ones, peaks or what ever.This could help to define certain test and benchmark procedures in the later stages of the project. The top end will be an also nice object...

    Ralf Becker has uploaded 0 CAD models & has left 1 comments.
  • AGI

    AGI about 11 years ago

    A note to all contestants: Remember the challenge rules.
    1) The proposed test object(s) must be capable of evaluating as many types of grippers or hands as possible.
    2) How successfully you maximized the testing ability of the object(s) and how well did you minimize the number of objects needed. * Multiple entrees by one person will be considered to be cumulative test objects.
    3) The proposed test object(s) must be physically realizable. Let us know which method your design requires in the description.
    4) Use your written description to detail all design decisions (how the object(s) would work and why their design makes sense).

    AGI has uploaded 0 CAD models & has left 1 comments.
  • Ruan Pretorius

    Ruan Pretorius about 11 years ago

    My Entries to a fun Challenge : )

    Space Bubble Dog and his body parts ( Challenge )
    Gripper Set - Challenge
    Tornado for grippers
    Spike, bubble and in-between ( challenge )
    Gripper Spider Cube
    7 Sides - 7 ways
    Polygon Gripper Set
    Cube
    Cube two...

    Ruan Pretorius has uploaded 46 CAD models & has left 151 comments.
  • Dimitar

    Dimitar about 11 years ago

    My favorite entry to the contest is
    ''Universal test object for robot grippers''
    by MahmoudSaeed
    Good luck to all the participants!

    Dimitar has uploaded 45 CAD models & has left 61 comments.
  • Sara Sigel

    Sara Sigel about 11 years ago

    We are a bit delayed in announcing finalists, but will get that info to you all shortly. Sorry for the wait!

    Sara Sigel has uploaded 1 CAD models & has left 1841 comments.
  • Sara Sigel

    Sara Sigel about 11 years ago

    Finalists are announced!
    http://grabcad.com/challenges/robot-gripper-test-object-challenge/results
    .
    Thanks to everyone who participated! We believe these entries are the best robot gripper testing solutions based on our needs. In fact, we saw many creative and functional ideas from the GrabCAD Community in this list of finalists. Next, we'll release Pareto plot results along with the winners. In the meantime, which one is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!

    Sara Sigel has uploaded 1 CAD models & has left 1841 comments.
  • Jonathan Brazeau

    Jonathan Brazeau about 11 years ago

    congrats to all finalists...!! will look into more when time.

    Jonathan Brazeau has uploaded 209 CAD models & has left 2121 comments.
  • Robin Diekmann

    Robin Diekmann about 11 years ago

    Awesome, thank you so much!

    Robin Diekmann has uploaded 18 CAD models & has left 92 comments.
  • Pouriya

    Pouriya about 11 years ago

    Congrats to all finalist.I am so happy for choosing me in final list :)

    Pouriya has uploaded 68 CAD models & has left 272 comments.
  • Bhima Arsnanto

    Bhima Arsnanto about 11 years ago

    Congratz to all finalist...!! And thank you! :D

    Bhima Arsnanto has uploaded 4 CAD models & has left 11 comments.
  • Ram Ganesh

    Ram Ganesh about 11 years ago

    Thanks a Lot !! And congratulations to fellow finalists :)))

    Ram Ganesh has uploaded 19 CAD models & has left 466 comments.
  • Chris Bishop

    Chris Bishop about 11 years ago

    Im so happy you like my design :) Great selection of finalists, congrats to all.

    Chris Bishop has uploaded 1 CAD models & has left 3 comments.
  • Ruan Pretorius

    Ruan Pretorius about 11 years ago

    I’m really happy a made it to the second round, thank you.
    .
    For me 1st place : Robot Gripper Test "CUBE" and 2nd place Crazy Cube Gripper Tester

    Ruan Pretorius has uploaded 46 CAD models & has left 151 comments.
  • benjamin benji

    benjamin benji about 11 years ago

    Couldn't agree more Ruan... 1st place to be Crazy Cube Gripper Tester.
    and any idea of when the final results be published?

    benjamin benji has uploaded 26 CAD models & has left 30 comments.
  • Ruan Pretorius

    Ruan Pretorius about 11 years ago

    benjamin benji - According to the rules, Winners will be announced by June 25, 2014 - Best of luck*

    Ruan Pretorius has uploaded 46 CAD models & has left 151 comments.
  • Sara Sigel

    Sara Sigel about 11 years ago

    Winners are announced!
    https://grabcad.com/challenges/robot-gripper-test-object-challenge/results
    .
    Thanks to everyone who participated! You can find the Pareto plot results of the finalists through the link at the top of the results page. We're hoping that plot does most of the talking for the jury as this Challenge was based on how well entries performed in that analysis along with their manufacturability. You can see each entry's rating for manufacturability, as well. Outstanding work from all the GrabCADrs involved in this one!

    Sara Sigel has uploaded 1 CAD models & has left 1841 comments.
  • Pouriya

    Pouriya about 11 years ago

    Congrats to all :)

    Pouriya has uploaded 68 CAD models & has left 272 comments.
  • Bhima Arsnanto

    Bhima Arsnanto about 11 years ago

    Congrats everyone! Good job! :D

    Bhima Arsnanto has uploaded 4 CAD models & has left 11 comments.
  • Robin Diekmann

    Robin Diekmann about 11 years ago

    Congratulations!

    Robin Diekmann has uploaded 18 CAD models & has left 92 comments.
  • Mart Berghs

    Mart Berghs over 9 years ago

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7dA9df512w

    Mart Berghs has uploaded 763 CAD models & has left 1084 comments.

    • Please log in to add comments.

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  • Deadline Passed
  • Total entries 71
  • Who’s in the jury?
  • Stephan Eifler
    Product Manager at FIPA GmbH
  • Sara Sigel
    Community Manager at GrabCAD
  • Ralf Becker
    Advanced Technology Department Manager at Schunk
  • John Amend
    Ph.D., CTO at Empire Robotics
  • John Hall
    Mechanical Engineer/Project Manager at Yaskawa America-Motoman Robotics Division
  • AGI
    President at American Grippers
  • Sam Bouchard
    Ph.D., CEO at Robotiq
  • Nadia Cheng
    Ph.D., Director of R&D at Empire Robotics

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