An item manipulation system comprising: a control system; a robotic arm communicatively coupled to the control system, the robotic arm comprising one or more vacuum generators; an end effector communicatively coupled to the control system, wherein the end effector defines a first end and a second end, the first end being rotatably engaged to the robotic arm; a gripper unit attached at the second end of the end effector, the gripper unit being configured to be actuated by the control system so as to grip an item , the gripper unit comprising: at least one flexible suction cup ; and at least one rigid gripper ; wherein each of the at least one flexible suction cup and the at least one rigid gripper are in fluid communication with the at least one vacuum generator, and wherein each of the at least one flexible suction cup and the at least one rigid gripper are configured to engage a surface of the item based on a vacuum suction force generated by the at least one vacuum generator through, selectively: in a first material handling procedure, the at least one flexible suction cup; in a second material handling procedure, the at least one rigid gripper; and in a third material handling procedure, the at least one flexible suction cup and the at least one rigid gripper. a control system; a robotic arm communicatively coupled to the control system, the robotic arm comprising one or more vacuum generators; an end effector communicatively coupled to the control system, wherein the end effector defines a first end and a second end, the first end being rotatably engaged to the robotic arm; a gripper unit attached at the second end of the end effector, the gripper unit being configured to be actuated by the control system so as to grip an item , the gripper unit comprising: at least one flexible suction cup ; and at least one rigid gripper ; wherein each of the at least one flexible suction cup and the at least one rigid gripper are in fluid communication with the at least one vacuum generator, and wherein each of the at least one flexible suction cup and the at least one rigid gripper are configured to engage a surface of the item based on a vacuum suction force generated by the at least one vacuum generator through, selectively: in a first material handling procedure, the at least one flexible suction cup; in a second material handling procedure, the at least one rigid gripper; and in a third material handling procedure, the at least one flexible suction cup and the at least one rigid gripper. at least one flexible suction cup ; and at least one rigid gripper ; wherein each of the at least one flexible suction cup and the at least one rigid gripper are in fluid communication with the at least one vacuum generator, and wherein each of the at least one flexible suction cup and the at least one rigid gripper are configured to engage a surface of the item based on a vacuum suction force generated by the at least one vacuum generator through, selectively: in a first material handling procedure, the at least one flexible suction cup; in a second material handling procedure, the at least one rigid gripper; and in a third material handling procedure, the at least one flexible suction cup and the at least one rigid gripper. in a first material handling procedure, the at least one flexible suction cup; in a second material handling procedure, the at least one rigid gripper; and in a third material handling procedure, the at least one flexible suction cup and the at least one rigid gripper. <EOS>