Abstract: Provided herein is a system and associated method for use in a grapple fixture for detecting rigidization of a robotic capture interface between a grapple fixture and a robotic arm. The system includes a movable component configured to couple to a mounting end of a grapple probe, a resistance component for resisting movement of the moveable component until a threshold force has been reached, the threshold force correlated to a required preload force of the robotic interface, a detection component, and a triggering component, wherein movement of movable component causes the triggering component to move and effect a state change in the detection component, wherein the threshold force of the resistance component is configured such that it is overcome only once a defined preload of the robotic capture interface has been reached.