A robotic gripping device is provided. The device includes a finger having a worm gear coupled to its base end. The device also includes an actuator having a motor and a shaft, wherein the shaft is configured to rotate a worm coupled to the worm gear, and the actuator is mounted on a carriage such that the actuator is configured to slide along an axis. The device also includes a spring having first and second ends, wherein the first end is coupled to the motor and the second end is fixed. Further, the actuator is configured to (i) rotate the shaft relative to the motor by a first amount to move the finger toward an object, and (ii) when the finger is in contact with the object and is prevented from further movement, further rotate the shaft relative to the motor to slide the actuator along the axis.