On Modern Grippers, Gripsters and Modern GRABO’s

July 22, 2026

A vacuum gripper, also known as a gripster, is a device that grips and lifts objects by creating lower air pressure between the tool and the material's surface. Atmospheric pressure then presses the gripper against the object, allowing it to be lifted, moved or positioned.

Vacuum-gripping technology was originally developed for industrial material handling. Traditional systems used external pumps, suction plates, cranes and robotic equipment to move glass, sheet metal, stone, packaging and other heavy or delicate materials. Manual suction cups made the technology portable, but they generally remained limited to smooth, airtight surfaces.

Modern electric gripsters overcame much of this limitation. By continuously removing air that leaks through or around the material, they can maintain their grip on textured, slightly porous or uneven surfaces. This makes them useful for handling tile, stone, concrete, wood, drywall, metal and glass. Independent trade publications have tested GRABO tools across many of these materials.

The Development of GRABO

Development of GRABO began in 2015. The technology was patented in 2018, and the first commercial products entered the market in early 2019. Invented by mechanical engineer Nimo Rotem, GRABO combined a battery-powered vacuum pump, a flexible sealing system and a portable handle in a single cordless power tool.

This design transformed vacuum lifting from specialized industrial equipment into a practical handheld product. GRABO quickly became an industry standard and helped establish the modern electric gripster category.

Unlike a conventional suction cup, a GRABO actively maintains vacuum while operating. This allows it to grip many materials that ordinary manual suction cups cannot reliably hold. Later models introduced digital pressure monitoring, automatic pump control, remote operation and substantially increased airflow for highly porous materials.

GRABO technology has also been adopted by major power-tool manufacturers, including DeWalt. Independent professional reviewers have recognized the usefulness of the GRABO platform for contractors and tradespeople, and the GRABO Pro-Lifter was selected for the Popular Mechanics 2025 Tool Awards.

Today, GRABO is widely regarded as the world's leading gripster brand. Its patented technology, international distribution, broad product range and widespread professional adoption have made GRABO the benchmark for modern portable electric vacuum grippers.

On Modern Grippers, Gripsters and Modern GRABO’s

The Development of GRABO

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