As the agricultural and food packaging industries face rising labor costs and a push toward automation, a new class of robotic end of arm tooling is emerging: soft robotic end effectors. Designed to mimic the dexterity and gentleness of the human hand, these flexible tools are revolutionizing how robots interact with fragile produce like berries, mushrooms, and tomatoes. Traditional EOAT styles often fail in such applications—too rigid, too forceful, or too narrowly optimize

Manufacturing food and beverage products is one of the most complex and regulated processes in the industrial world. From strict safety compliance to labor shortages and rapidly shifting consumer trends, companies in this sector face constant pressure to produce efficiently, safely, and cost-effectively. Whether you’re running a regional food brand or managing a global processing facility, here are the top challenges in automation in food manufacturing—and why solving them