A system for controlling a surgical robotic tool having an end effector driven by actuators through antagonistic cables is disclosed. The control system may include a position controller and a grip force controller. The position controller may be configured to receive an input signal to control the position of the end effector and generate a first command to drive the actuators to move the end effector. The grip force controller may be configured to receive another input to control the force exerted by jaws of the end effector and generate a second command. The first command and the second command may be combined to generate a composite command that is provided to the actuators to drive motion of the end effector. A third current or position command may be generated by a slack controller to prevent cable slack.
