Abstract: A system to automate the separation of agricultural products. The system includes an enclosure, sealed with permeable mesh to permit airflow and walled with non-porous material to prevent agricultural material from escaping the enclosure while allowing for flow to pass freely. This system is capable of separating material without mechanical interaction, such as with grippers or end effectors, and relies on air flow through the enclosure to create separation between the desired and undesired material using ballistic coefficient as a fundamental differentiator between constituent material of the agricultural products. This is accomplished with a variable speed fan which blows air through the enclosure, lifting and separating material based on the ballistic coefficient of that material and the flow settings. Dividers are used to separate and capture the products for retrieval at the conclusion of operation.

Abstract: A system to automate the separation of agricultural products. The system includes an enclosure, sealed with permeable mesh to permit airflow and walled with non-porous material to prevent agricultural material from escaping the enclosure while allowing for flow to pass freely. This system is capable of separating material without mechanical interaction, such as with grippers or end effectors, and relies on air flow through the enclosure to create separation between the desired and undesired material using ballistic coefficient as a fundamental differentiator between constituent material of the agricultural products. This is accomplished with a variable speed fan which blows air through the enclosure, lifting and separating material based on the ballistic coefficient of that material and the flow settings. Dividers are used to separate and capture the products for retrieval at the conclusion of operation.

Abstract: A system for robotic sorting includes a bin system comprising a plurality of bins for holding items to be sorted, where each bin is configured to hold more than one of the items. The system further includes an item handling system configured to travel to each of the plurality of bins. The item handling system utilizes a vacuum force to remove an item held in one of the plurality of bins. The item handling system further utilizes one or more curvature generation devices to enable card manipulation. Additionally, the system includes a drive system coupled to the item handling system. The drive system is configured to move and position the item handling system over each of the plurality of bins. The system also includes a control system coupled to the drive system and the item handling system. The control system controls movement of the item handling system and the drive system.

Abstract: A system for robotic sorting includes a bin system comprising a plurality of bins for holding items to be sorted, where each bin is configured to hold more than one of the items. The system further includes an item handling system configured to travel to each of the plurality of bins. The item handling system utilizes a vacuum force to remove an item held in one of the plurality of bins. The item handling system further utilizes one or more curvature generation devices to enable card manipulation. Additionally, the system includes a drive system coupled to the item handling system. The drive system is configured to move and position the item handling system over each of the plurality of bins. The system also includes a control system coupled to the drive system and the item handling system. The control system controls movement of the item handling system and the drive system.

Abstract: A system for robotic sorting includes a bin system comprising a plurality of bins for holding items to be sorted, where each bin is configured to hold more than one of the items. The system further includes an item handling system configured to travel to each of the plurality of bins. The item handling system utilizes a vacuum force to remove an item held in one of the plurality of bins. The item handling system further utilizes one or more curvature generation devices to enable card manipulation. Additionally, the system includes a drive system coupled to the item handling system. The drive system is configured to move and position the item handling system over each of the plurality of bins. The system also includes a control system coupled to the drive system and the item handling system. The control system controls movement of the item handling system and the drive system.

Abstract: A system for robotic sorting includes a bin system comprising a plurality of bins for holding items to be sorted, where each bin is configured to hold more than one of the items. The system further includes an item handling system configured to travel to each of the plurality of bins. The item handling system utilizes a vacuum force to remove an item held in one of the plurality of bins. The item handling system further utilizes one or more curvature generation devices to enable card manipulation. Additionally, the system includes a drive system coupled to the item handling system. The drive system is configured to move and position the item handling system over each of the plurality of bins. The system also includes a control system coupled to the drive system and the item handling system. The control system controls movement of the item handling system and the drive system.