The robotic finger is an end effector, which is called a gripper. The gripper is the device mounted at the distal end of a robot arm, enabling it to pick up workpieces and hold, manipulate, transfer, place, and release them accurately in a discrete position. Thus, the gripper is an all-important mechanical interface between the robot and its environment, without which, in many circumstances, the robot cannot function effectively, irrespective of the degree of sophistication it may otherwise possess.

The project consists of two parts, namely, a study of existing gripping mechanisms. The goal of this work is to provide the designer with a database of various gripping mechanisms and their related biological mechanisms so that the designer can link the two approaches to solve specific gripping problems. This is done by giving a rough classification based on various parameters like type of mechanism, scope of utility, etc., of available gripping mechanisms and certain biological grippers. A study of their operation is provided to help the designer understand the fundamentals and develop his own classification methodology suitable for his applications.