A mid the proliferation of industrial robots, robot peripheral devices that support various workpieces have been emerging. Among them include robot hands, and electric/pneumatic gripers. An increasing number of manufacturing equipment and motor manufacturers have been embarking on these products as a new business.

Japan is witnessing a decreasing birthrate and an aging population. China will also become an unprecedented aging society 20 years from now. The decline in working population is a serious social problem and the trend to use robots for manufacturing is expected to gain momentum.

The development of robotic peripheral devices has become active, and the commercialization of robot hands and electric and pneumatic grippers has been progressing. Although robot hands and electric/pneumatic grippers have different shapes, they are both attached at the ends of robot arms to perform "pinch," "grip" and "hold" operations.