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Why do factory robots need specially designed grippers for some parts?

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Humanoid robot — robot ASIMO, a two-legged humanoid robot developed by the Honda Motor Co.

Factory robots require specially designed grippers because the effectiveness of a robot in material handling and machine loading depends on its ability to securely grasp specific objects.1

Because industrial parts vary significantly in shape and size, a gripper must be tailored to the particular geometry of the part it is intended to manipulate. The robot's wrist is fitted with an "end effector"—a device such as a two- or three-finger gripper—to perform these specific tasks. Without a design that matches the part's physical characteristics, the robot would be unable to reliably pick up, hold, or position the item during the manufacturing process.123

While some robots are equipped with tactile or visual sensors to help determine the proximity of an object, the physical interface between the gripper and the part remains a critical factor in successful automation.2