A gripper system is provided that includes first and second linear carriages and first and second gecko adhesive patches. The gecko adhesive patches may have first and second surfaces, and a thin rigid backing may be attached to the second surface of the gecko adhesive patches. At least one layer of non-stretchable, flexible film may be glued to the thin rigid backing and a thick rigid backing may be glued to the film. The gripper system may further include a loading film. In other embodiments, the gripper system may include first and second pluralities of support tendons, which may connect the gecko adhesive patches to the carriages.