A robotic vacuum sorting system, the system comprising: a suction gripper mechanism pivotally mounted to one or more robotic arms of a sorting robot; a vacuum system coupled to the suction gripper mechanism; robot control logic and electronics coupled to the sorting robot and the vacuum system; and an imaging device coupled to the robot control logic and electronics; wherein, in response to an image signal from the imaging device, the robot control logic and electronics outputs one or more robot control signals to control the one or more robotic arms of the sorting robot, and outputs one or more airflow control signals to the vacuum system, to execute a capture action on a target object using the suction gripper mechanism; wherein during the capture action, the robot control logic and electronics outputs control signals such that the vacuum system pulls a vacuum at the gripping port of the suction gripper mechanism as the suction gripper mechanism is applied to capture and hold the target object; characterized in that the suction gripper mechanism comprises: a body assembly that houses a linear bearing component; a linear shaft element secured within the linear bearing component and having a freedom to travel axially up and down with respect to an axis of the linear bearing component; an internal airflow passage within the linear shaft element configured to communicate an airflow between an airflow application port positioned at a first end of the linear shaft element and a gripping port positioned at an opposing second end of the linear shaft element; a suction cup assembly comprising a flexible cup element 216 coupled to the gripping port by a removable coupler; and a mounting assembly rigidly secured around the body assembly, the mounting assembly further comprising one or more mounting points pivotally coupled to the one or more robotic arms of the sorting robot. a suction gripper mechanism pivotally mounted to one or more robotic arms of a sorting robot; a vacuum system coupled to the suction gripper mechanism; robot control logic and electronics coupled to the sorting robot and the vacuum system; and an imaging device coupled to the robot control logic and electronics; wherein, in response to an image signal from the imaging device, the robot control logic and electronics outputs one or more robot control signals to control the one or more robotic arms of the sorting robot, and outputs one or more airflow control signals to the vacuum system, to execute a capture action on a target object using the suction gripper mechanism; wherein during the capture action, the robot control logic and electronics outputs control signals such that the vacuum system pulls a vacuum at the gripping port of the suction gripper mechanism as the suction gripper mechanism is applied to capture and hold the target object; characterized in that the suction gripper mechanism comprises: a body assembly that houses a linear bearing component; a linear shaft element secured within the linear bearing component and having a freedom to travel axially up and down with respect to an axis of the linear bearing component; an internal airflow passage within the linear shaft element configured to communicate an airflow between an airflow application port positioned at a first end of the linear shaft element and a gripping port positioned at an opposing second end of the linear shaft element; a suction cup assembly comprising a flexible cup element 216 coupled to the gripping port by a removable coupler; and a mounting assembly rigidly secured around the body assembly, the mounting assembly further comprising one or more mounting points pivotally coupled to the one or more robotic arms of the sorting robot. a body assembly that houses a linear bearing component; a linear shaft element secured within the linear bearing component and having a freedom to travel axially up and down with respect to an axis of the linear bearing component; an internal airflow passage within the linear shaft element configured to communicate an airflow between an airflow application port positioned at a first end of the linear shaft element and a gripping port positioned at an opposing second end of the linear shaft element; a suction cup assembly comprising a flexible cup element 216 coupled to the gripping port by a removable coupler; and a mounting assembly rigidly secured around the body assembly, the mounting assembly further comprising one or more mounting points pivotally coupled to the one or more robotic arms of the sorting robot.