Abstract: A kitting machine is disclosed. In various embodiments, the machine includes an actuator configured to move a surface or receptacle to a position associated with item retrieval; and a controller configured to control operation of the actuator to position an item in the position associated with item retrieval, in a manner that is synchronized at least in part with operation of a robotic retrieval device configured to retrieve the item from the position associated with item retrieval.

Abstract: A robotic system is disclosed. The system includes a memory that stores for each of a plurality of items a set of attribute values. The system includes a processor(s) that uses the attribute values to simulate the placement of items, including by determining, iteratively, for each next item a placement location at which to place the item on a simulated stack of items on the pallet, using the attribute values and a geometric model of where items have been simulated to have been placed to estimate a state of the stack after each of a subset of simulated placements, and using the estimated state to inform a next placement decision. The steps of determining for each next item a placement location and estimating the state of the stack until all of at least a subset of the plurality of items have been simulated as having been placed on the stack.

Abstract: Data indicating a corresponding safety state information indicating an extent to which that operating zone currently is or is not available to the robotic system to perform tasks using one or more robotic instrumentalities associated with a robotic system is used, for each of a plurality of operating zones, to dynamically schedule and perform tasks associated with a higher level objective. The corresponding safety state information associated with the first operating zone indicating one of a plurality of safety states associated with a presence of a human worker in the first operating zone is received from one or more sensors associated with a first operating zone of the plurality of operating zones. Autonomous behavior of the one or more robotic instrumentalities is altered based on the one of the plurality of safety states associated with the presence of the human worker in the first operating zone indicated by the corresponding safety state information.

Abstract: A robotic system comprising an end effector-mounted sensor is disclosed. In various embodiments, a robotic arm is manipulated to move a sensor to a position such that an object of interest is within a read range of the sensor. A sensor data read by the sensor is received via a communication interface. The sensor data is used to determine an attribute of the object; and the determined attribute of the object is used to determine a plan to grasp and move the object.

Abstract: A robotic kitting machine is disclosed. In various embodiments, a robotic arm is used to move an item to a location in proximity to a slot into which the item is to be inserted. Force information generated by a force sensor is received via a communication interface. The force sensor information is used to align a structure comprising the item with a corresponding cavity comprising the slot, and the item is inserted into the slot.

Abstract: A robotic palletization/depalletization system is disclosed. In various embodiments, data associated with a plurality of items to be stacked on or in a destination location is received, and a plan to stack the items on or in the destination location is generated based at least in part on the received data. The generating the plan includes determining a source location from which to pick the item based at least in part on (i) an attribute of the source location, and (ii) a state of a platform or receptacle on which one or more items are to be stacked.

Abstract: A robotic system is disclosed which includes a robotic arm having n degrees of freedom, the robotic arm comprising a base and a set of serially connected links and joints connected to the base; an enabler joint assembly comprising a mounting location at which the base of the robotic arm is mounted and having a rotational axis, offset from the mounting location, about which the enabler joint assembly is configured to rotate the mounting location; and a processor configured to control a first set of motors associated with the n degrees of freedom of the robotic arm and an enabler joint motor comprising the enabler joint assembly to control operation of the robotic arm within an extended operating space defined at least in part by the n degrees of freedom of the robotic arm and an (n+1)th degree of freedom provided by the enabler joint assembly.

Abstract: A robotic singulation system is disclosed. In various embodiments, sensor data including image data associated with a workspace is received. The sensor data is used to generate a three dimensional view of at least a portion of the workspace, the three dimensional view including boundaries of a plurality of items present in the workspace. A grasp strategy is determined for each of at least a subset of items, and for each grasp strategy a corresponding probability of grasp success is computed. The grasp strategies and corresponding probabilities of grasp success are used to determine and implement a plan to autonomously operate a robotic structure to pick one or more items from the workplace and place each item singly in a corresponding location in a singulation conveyance structure.

Abstract: A robotic system is disclosed. The system includes a communication interface that receives, from a sensor(s) deployed in a workspace, sensor data indicative of a current state of the workspace, the workspace comprising a pallet or other receptacle and a plurality of items stacked on or in the receptacle. The system includes one or more processors that control a robotic arm to place a first set of items on or in, or remove the first set of items from, the pallet or other receptacle, update a geometric model based on the first set of items placed on or in a receptacle, use the geometric model in combination with the sensor data to estimate a stack of one or more items on or in the receptacle, and use the estimated state to generate or update a plan to control the robotic arm to place a second set of items.

Abstract: A robotic kitting machine is disclosed. In various embodiments, a robotic arm is used to move an item to a location in proximity to a slot into which the item is to be inserted. Force information generated by a force sensor is received via a communication interface. The force sensor information is used to align a structure comprising the item with a corresponding cavity comprising the slot, and the item is inserted into the slot.

Abstract: A multicamera image processing system is disclosed. In various embodiments, image data is received from each of a plurality of sensors associated with a workspace, the image data comprising for each sensor in the plurality of sensors one or both of visual image information and depth information. Image data from the plurality of sensors is merged to generate a merged point cloud data. Segmentation is performed based on visual image data from at least a subset of the sensors in the plurality of sensors to generate a segmentation result. One or both of the merged point cloud data and the segmentation result is/are used to generate a merged three dimensional and segmented view of the workspace.

Abstract: The present application discloses a system, a method, and a computer system for detecting objects that require special handling. The method includes (i) receiving image data from one or more cameras associated with a source conveyor configured to convey items to a pick location, (ii) determining, based at least in part on the image data, that an item requiring special handling has entered the source conveyor, and (iii) providing an output indicating that the item requiring special handling has been detected.

Abstract: A robotic line kitting system is disclosed. In various embodiments, a sensor reading associated with a force sensor associated with a robotic instrumentality comprising the robotic line kitting system is received. It is determined based at least in part on the sensor reading that a condition requiring human intervention has been detected. A task to be performed by a human worker to correct the condition is scheduled.

Abstract: A robotic system to control multiple robots to perform a task cooperatively is disclosed. A first robot determines to perform a task cooperatively with a second robot, moves independently to a first grasp position to grasp an object associated with the task, receives an indication that the second robot is prepared to perform the task cooperatively, and moves the object independently of the second robot in a leader mode along a trajectory determined by the first robot. The second robot assists the first robot in performing the task cooperatively, at least in part by moving independently to a second grasp position, grasping the object, and cooperating with the first robot to move the object, at least in part by operating in a follower mode of operation to maintain engagement with the object as the first robot moves the object along the trajectory.

Abstract: A robot configured to use a gripper to grasp one or more tools is disclosed. In various embodiments, the robot comprises a robotic arm having a gripper disposed at a free moving end of the robotic arm, and a set of two or more tools configured to grasped or otherwise engaged by the gripper. Each tool in the set of two or more tools may be disposed in a corresponding tool holder, optionally attached to the robot or situated near the robot. The robot is configured to use the gripper to retrieve a selected tool from its tool holder to perform a task; use the tool to perform the task; and return the tool to its tool holder.

Abstract: A robotic singulation system is disclosed. In various embodiments, sensor data including image data associated with a workspace is received. The sensor data is used to generate a three dimensional view of at least a portion of the workspace, the three dimensional view including boundaries of a plurality of items present in the workspace. The three dimensional view as generated at successive points in time is used to model a flow of at least a subset of said plurality of items through at least a portion of the workspace. The model is used to determine and implement a plan to autonomously operate a robotic structure to pick one or more items from the workplace and place each item singly in a corresponding location in a singulation conveyance structure.

Abstract: A robotic singulation system is disclosed. In various embodiments, sensor data image data associated with a plurality of items present in a workspace is received. The sensor data is used to determine and implement a plan to autonomously operate a robotic structure to pick one or more items from the workspace and place each item singly in a corresponding location in a singulation conveyance structure. The plan includes performing an active measure to change or adapt to a detected state or condition associated with one or more items in the workspace.

Abstract: A robotic end effector is disclosed. The end effector is configured to grasp, move, and place one or more objects without assistance from another robot. The end effector includes a lateral member configured to be attached to a robotic arm at a central portion of the lateral member, a passive side member fixedly mounted to the lateral member at a first distal end and configured to engage mechanically with a first recess on a first side of an object to be grasped, and an active side member hinged to the lateral member at a second distal end opposite the first distal end and configured to engage mechanically with a second recess on a second side of the object to be grasped, the second side being opposite the first side of the object to be grasped. The passive side member and the active side member each include a structure, and the structure on the passive side member and the active side member have different profiles.

Abstract: The present application discloses a mechanism to adjust backlash in a rack and pinion powertrain assembly. The mechanism to adjust backlash includes a mounting frame having an opening defined therein to receive an operative end of a drive assembly, a shoulder fastener positioned through a first complementary set of holes at a first end of a mounting flange to movably couple the mounting flange to the mounting frame, the fastener being fastened in a manner such that the mounting flange and drive assembly have freedom to pivot about a longitudinal axis of the first complementary set of holes, and an adjustable length coupling device having a first end coupled mechanically to the mounting plate and a second end coupled mechanically to the mounting flange at a location substantially opposite the first end of the mounting flange.

Abstract: A velocity control-based robotic system is disclosed. In various embodiments, sensor data is received from one or more sensors deployed in a physical space in which a robot is located. A processor is used to determine based at least in part on the sensor data an at least partly velocity-based trajectory along which to move an element comprising the robot. A command to implement the velocity-based trajectory is sent to the robot.