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  "path": "/news/2026-04-soft-robot-gripper-ripe-fruit.html",
  "publishedAt": "2026-04-20T13:00:01.000Z",
  "site": "https://techxplore.com",
  "tags": [
    "Robotics"
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  "textContent": "When assessing the ripeness of fruit, sight and smell can tell you a lot, but the best indicator is often how the fruit feels. Cornell researchers used stretchable fiber-optic sensors to create a soft robot gripper that can predict the ripeness of strawberries by touch, then gently twist them off their branch or vine without causing any damage.",
  "title": "Handle with care: Soft robot gripper picks ripe fruit without bruising"
}