Abstract: Systems and methods for classifying at least a portion of an image as being textured or textureless are presented. The system receives an image generated by an image capture device, wherein the image represents one or more objects in a field of view of the image capture device. The system generates one or more bitmaps based on at least one image portion of the image. The one or more bitmaps describe whether one or more features for feature detection are present in the at least one image portion, or describe whether one or more visual features for feature detection are present in the at least one image portion, or describe whether there is variation in intensity across the at least one image portion. The system determines whether to classify the at least one image portion as textured or textureless based on the one or more bitmaps.

Abstract: A system and method for performing automatic camera calibration is provided. The system receives a calibration image, and determines a plurality of image coordinates for representing respective locations at which a plurality of pattern elements of a calibration pattern appear in a calibration image. The system determines, based on the plurality of image coordinates and defined pattern element coordinates, an estimate for a first lens distortion parameter of a set of lens distortion parameters, wherein the estimate for the first lens distortion parameter is determined while estimating a second lens distortion parameter of the set of lens distortion parameters to be zero, or is determined without estimating the second lens distortion parameter. The system determines, after the estimate of the first lens distortion parameter is determined, an estimate for the second lens distortion parameter based on the estimate for the first lens distortion parameter.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a robotic system to scan and register unrecognized objects is disclosed. The robotic system may use an image data representative of an unrecognized object located at a start location to implement operations for transferring the unrecognized object from the start location. While implementing the operations, the robotic system may obtain additional data, including scanning results of one or more portions of the unrecognized object not included in the image data. The robotic system may use the additional data to register the unrecognized object.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a robotic system to place objects into containers that have support walls is disclosed. The robotic system may detect an unexpected condition associated with a container during or before a real-time operation. Accordingly, the robotic system may dynamically adjust an existing packing plan based on detecting the unexpected condition.

Abstract: A method for operating a robotic system includes determining a discretized object model representative of a target object; determining a discretized platform model representative of a task location; determining height measures based on real-time sensor data representative of the task location; and dynamically deriving a placement location based on (1) overlapping the discretized object model and the discretized platform model for stacking objects at the task location and (2) calculating a placement score associated with the overlapping based on the height measures.

Abstract: A robotic system for arranging packages at a destination in a specified arrangement. The robotic system processes incoming packages, stores the packages in a temporary storage area, executes a simulate function to generate or update a simulated stacking plan, determines the occurrence of a palletizing trigger, and places the packages on the pallet according to the simulated stacking plan upon determining the occurrence of the palletizing trigger. The palletizing trigger can be one of a time limit trigger, a uniform layer trigger, a storage capacity trigger, or receiving a placement initiation command.

Abstract: A tool system for a robotic arm is provided. The tool system includes a tool support structure; a tool structure, coupled to the tool support structure, having at least one structural member; a connector mechanically coupled to the structural member and shaped for engaging the tool support structure; and a control unit mechanically coupled to the at least one structural member and configured to sense and adjust performance of the tool structure based on determining a connection to the tool support structure.

Abstract: A control method includes: deriving an approach location at which the end effector grips an operation object; deriving a scan location for scanning an identifier of the operation object; and based on the approach location and the scan location, creating or deriving a control sequence to instruct the robot to execute the control sequence. The control sequence includes (1) gripping the operation object from a start location; (2) scanning an identifier of the operation object with a scanner located between the start location and a task location; (3) temporarily releasing the operation object from the end effector and regripping the operation object by the end effector to be shifted, at a shift location, when a predetermined condition is satisfied; and (4) moving the operation object to the task location.

Abstract: A system and method for processing candidate edges are presented. The method may be performed when spatial structure information and 2D image information are stored. The method may include identifying, based on the spatial structure information, a 3D location that represents a corner of an object structure; identifying, based on the spatial structure information, a 3D vector that extends from the 3D location and is parallel with an edge; determining a 2D location within the 2D image information that corresponds to the 3D location; determining a 2D vector within the 2D image information that corresponds to the 3D vector; determining an edge detection region; identifying a cluster of candidate edges within the edge detection region that does not represent any object edge; identifying, as a 2D object edge, a candidate edge that is not part of the identified cluster; and performing segmentation based on the 2D object edge.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to verifying an initial object estimation of an object. A two-dimensional (2D) image representative of an environment including one or more objects may be obtained. The 2D image may be inspected to detect edges of an object. The edges may be processed to verify or update an initial object estimation to increase the accuracy of an object detection result.

Abstract: A method and system for determining poses for camera calibration is presented. The system determines a range of pattern orientations for performing the camera calibration, and determines a surface region on a surface of an imaginary sphere, which represents possible pattern orientations for the calibration pattern. The system determines a plurality of poses for the calibration pattern to adopt. The plurality of poses may be defined by respective combinations of a plurality of respective locations within the camera field of view and a plurality of respective sets of pose angle values. Each set of pose angle values of the plurality of respective sets may be based on a respective surface point selected from within the surface region on the surface of the imaginary sphere. The system outputs a plurality of robot movement commands based on the plurality of poses that are determined.

Abstract: A method for operating a transport robot includes receiving image data representative of a group of objects. One or more target objects are identified in the group based on the received image data. Addressable vacuum regions are selected based on the identified one or more target objects. The transport robot is command to cause the selected addressable vacuum regions to hold and transport the identified one or more target objects. The transport robot includes a multi-gripper assembly having an array of addressable vacuum regions each configured to independently provide a vacuum. A vision sensor device can capture the image data, which is representative of the target objects adjacent to or held by the multi-gripper assembly.

Abstract: A method for operating a robotic system includes determining package groupings for placing available packages on a platform; generating a two-dimensional (2D) placement plan based on discretized models representative of the available packages and the platform; generating a three-dimensional (3D) stacking plan based on the 2D placement plan; and implementing the 3D stacking plan for placing the available packages on the platform.

Abstract: A method for operating a robotic system includes obtaining and processing first data representative of an object at a start location. An event may be detected while implementing an operation based on the image data. A gripper height that corresponds to the event may be determined. Accordingly, the method may include calculating an object height that represents a height estimate of the object.

Abstract: A system and method of detecting objects are provided. The method includes generating first edge information from first image data representing an object based on a first mode of image capture, generating second edge information from second image data representing the object based on a second mode of image capture, the second mode being different from the first mode, fusing the first edge information with the second edge information to generate fused edge information, generating an object detection hypothesis based on the fused edge information, and validating the object detection hypothesis based on the fused edge information, the first edge information, and/or the second edge information.

Abstract: A control apparatus includes a force sensation information acquiring unit for acquiring force sensation information representing a magnitude of at least one of a force and a torque at a distal end of a manipulator while a target item is being transported; a mass information acquiring unit for acquiring mass information representing a mass of the item; a plan information acquiring unit for acquiring plan information representing content of a plan of a trajectory; a force sensation estimating unit for estimating a magnitude of at least one of a force and a torque to be detected at the distal end of the manipulator; and a first detecting unit for detecting an abnormality, based on the magnitude of at least one of the force and the torque represented by the force sensation information and the magnitude of at least one of the force and the torque estimated by the estimating unit.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to detecting and registering unrecognized or unregistered objects. A minimum viable range (MVR) may be derived based on inspecting image data that represents objects at a start location. The MVR may be determined to be a certain MVR or an uncertain MVR according to one or more features represented in the image data. The MVR may be used to register corresponding objects according to the certain or uncertain determination.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a robotic system to register unrecognized objects is disclosed. The robotic system may use first image data representative of an unrecognized object located at a start location to derive an initial minimum viable region (MVR) and to implement operations for initially displacing the unrecognized object. The robotic system may analyze second image data representative of the unrecognized object after the initial displacement operations to detect a condition representative of an accuracy of the initial MVR. The robotic system may register the initial MVR or an adjustment thereof based on the detected condition.

Abstract: A system and method for performing object detection are presented. The system receives spatial structure information associated with an object which is or has been in a camera field of view of a spatial structure sensing camera. The spatial structure information is generated by the spatial structure sensing camera, and includes depth information for an environment in the camera field of view. The system determines a container pose based on the spatial structure information, wherein the container pose is for describing at least one of an orientation for the container or a depth value for at least a portion of the container. The system further determines an object pose based on the container pose, wherein the object pose is for describing at least one of an orientation for the object or a depth value for at least a portion of the object.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a transport robot to simultaneously grasp and transfer multiple objects is disclosed. The transport robot includes a multi-gripper assembly having an array of addressable vacuum regions each configured to independently provide a vacuum. The robotic system receives image data representative of a group of objects. Individual target objects are identified in the group based on the received image data. Addressable vacuum regions are selected based on the identified target objects. The transport robot is command to cause the selected addressable vacuum regions to simultaneously grasp and transfer multiple target objects.