Project description
Beyond pneumatics for industrial gripping
Industrial automation depends on the pneumatic suction system that works on compressed air. Leaks in the air system and other maintenance problems lead to frequent downtime and higher operating costs. There is a need for the development of an alternative method that can be used. The EIC-funded EASIERGrasp project will develop electroadhesive suction cups that replace traditional compressed-air systems in industrial gripping. This will reduce noise, energy consumption and maintenance problems. In addition, the technology will be scaled up through pilot demonstrations in packaging, automotive and logistics environments with major industry partners. Overall, the project’s goal is to improve the technology’s durability and integrate AI-based self-sensing for predictive maintenance.
Objective
Omnigrasp is redefining industrial gripping by introducing the first electroadhesive suction cups that eliminate the dependency on compressed air. Today’s pneumatic cups may appear inexpensive, but they rely on heavy infrastructures that make production lines noisy, energy-hungry, and maintenance-intensive. Frequent leaks, breakdowns, and high operating costs turn these components into weak links across automation systems. Omnigrasp’s electroadhesive cups offer a fully electric alternative which is silent, lightweight, and intelligent, capable of long-lasting performance with integrated sensing for reliability and predictive maintenance.
EASIERGrasp builds on the results of the HARTU project, where the core electroadhesion technology was demonstrated at TRL4. We now aim to advance to TRL6 through three pilots with leading industrial partners in packaging automation, automotive assembly, and logistics. Each pilot targets sector specific requirements, i.e. ultra-high cycle rates, heavy-payload handling, and infrastructure-free mobility, consolidating technology validation under real operating conditions.
The project is structured around three goals: (1) high lifetime EA technology with improved membranes, electrodes, and HV electronics; (2) integrated AI-driven adaptability through self-sensing; and (3) industrializing a portfolio of grippers covering packaging, automotive, and logistics. We will strengthen IP, validate our business model with end-users and integrators, and prepare Series A funding to enable manufacturing scale-up to 10,000–50,000 units/year.
By project end, Omnigrasp will achieve TRL6 with proven performance in industrial pilots, a validated commercialization pathway, and a reinforced team ready to transition from R&D to market scale-up. With a payback time <1 year for customers and a serviceable market of €400M in Europe, Omnigrasp will position Europe at the forefront of sustainable, intelligent automation.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.3.1 - The European Innovation Council (EIC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-EIC-2025-TRANSITIONOPEN
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
70124 BARI
Italy
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.