An apparatus includes a drive; a movable arm connected to the drive and having a first link rotatable about the drive at a first rotary joint, a first actuator configured to cause a rotation of the first link about the first rotary joint, at least one second link connected to the first link at a second rotary joint, at least one second actuator configured to cause a rotation of the second link about the second rotary joint, and at least one gripper on the second link, the gripper being configured to carry a payload. The gripper includes a dielectric substrate, at least one electrode disposed on the dielectric substrate, the electrode being configured to produce an attractive force on a surface of the electrode to attract the payload, and a main electronic module configured to apply a voltage to the electrode from a source of current.