Abstract: A sortation system is disclosed for providing processing of homogenous and non-homogenous objects in both structured and cluttered environments. The sortation system includes a programmable motion device including an end effector, a perception system for recognizing any of the identity, location, and orientation of an object presented in a plurality of objects, a grasp selection system for selecting a grasp location on the object, the grasp location being chosen to provide a secure grasp of the object by the end effector to permit the object to be moved from the plurality of objects to one of a plurality of destination locations, and a motion planning system for providing a motion path for the transport of the object when grasped by the end effector from the plurality of objects to the one of the plurality of destination locations, wherein the motion path is chosen to provide a path from the plurality of objects to the one of the plurality of destination locations.

Abstract: An induction system for filtering the induction of objects to an object processing system is disclosed. The induction system includes an evaluation means for evaluating at least one characteristic of an object, and a routing system for routing the object in one of a plurality of directions responsive to the evaluated characteristic, at least one of the plurality of directions leading to the object processing system.

Abstract: A flow measurement device for assessing free surface fluid flow that includes a void container defining a void chamber and including an upper opening configured to receive the free surface fluid flow, a measurement container defining a measurement chamber in fluid communication with the void chamber via at least one through opening, an exit orifice defined in the measurement container and configured to allow fluid to drain from the measurement chamber at a known outflow rate based on fluid level, and at least one capacitive sensor configured to measure a level of fluid in the measurement chamber. A fluid path is defined through the upper opening, into the void chamber, through the at least one through opening, into the measurement chamber, and through the exit orifice.

Abstract: A space efficient automated processing system for processing objects is disclosed. The processing system includes an input conveyance system for moving objects from an input area in at least an input conveyance vector that includes an input conveyance horizontal direction component and an input conveyance vertical direction component, a perception system for receiving objects from the input conveyance system and for providing perception data regarding an object, a primary transport system for receiving the object from the perception system and for providing transport of the object along at least a primary transport vector including an primary transport horizontal component and a primary transport vertical component that is generally opposite the input conveyance horizontal direction component, and at least two secondary transport systems, each of which receives the object from the primary transport system and moves the object in either of reciprocal directions.

Abstract: An automated packing system is disclosed for placing a plurality of objects into a shipping container. The a system includes a supply bin receiving conveyor for receiving a supply bin at a supply station, a placement planning system for determining a packing placement order for the plurality of objects, a detection system for detecting a plurality of objects within the supply bin responsive to the position of the supply bin on the receiving conveyor as aligned by the alignment system, an object selection system for selecting a selected object from the plurality of objects to be placed into the shipping container, and a programmable motion device for grasping and acquiring the selected object from the plurality of objects at the supply station, and for placing the selected object into the shipping container in a selected orientation.

Abstract: A processing system for processing objects using a programmable motion device is disclosed. The processing system includes a perception unit for perceiving identifying indicia representative of an identity of a plurality of objects received from an input conveyance system, an acquisition system for acquiring an object from the plurality of objects at an input area using an end effector of the programmable motion device, wherein the programmable motion device is adapted for assisting in the delivery of the object to an identified processing bin, and the identified processing bin is associated with the identifying indicia and said identified processing location is provided as one of a plurality of processing bins, and a delivery system for bringing the identified processing bin toward the object, where the delivery system includes a carrier for carrying the identified processing bin toward the object.

Abstract: An object processing system for removing objects from a trailer of a tractor trailer includes a collection conveyance system for moving objects from within the trailer and providing the objects to an output conveyor of the collection conveyor system that leads to an object processing facility, a perception system for providing perception data regarding at least a portion of the collection conveyance system, a processing system for identifying whether the collection conveyance system is experiencing traffic with regard to passage of objects along the collection conveyance system, and a traffic remediation system for determining an action for an end-effector to take to remedy the traffic with regard to passage of objects along the collection conveyance system.

Abstract: A storage, retrieval and processing system for processing objects is disclosed. The storage, retrieval and processing system includes a plurality of storage bins, a plurality of destination bins, and a processing programmable motion device. The plurality of storage bins provides storage of a plurality of objects, where the plurality of storage bins are in communication with a gantry retrieval conveyance system for moving selected bins to a bin processing location. The plurality of destination bins are in communication with the gantry retrieval conveyance system for moving a selected destination bin to the processing location. The processing programmable motion device is at the processing location and is in communication with the gantry retrieval conveyance system. The processing programmable motion device includes an end effector for grasping and moving a selected object out of a selected storage bin and depositing the selected object in the selected destination bin.

Abstract: A programmable motion system is disclosed that includes a dynamic end effector system. The dynamic end effector system includes an end effector that is coupled via a dynamic coupling to the programmable motion system, wherein the dynamic coupling provides that at least a portion of the end effector may spin with respect to an other portion of the end effector.

Abstract: A flow measurement device for assessing free surface fluid flow that includes a void container defining a void chamber and including an upper opening configured to receive the free surface fluid flow, a measurement container defining a measurement chamber in fluid communication with the void chamber via at least one through opening, an exit orifice defined in the measurement container and configured to allow fluid to drain from the measurement chamber at a known outflow rate based on fluid level, and at least one capacitive sensor configured to measure a level of fluid in the measurement chamber. A fluid path is defined through the upper opening, into the void chamber, through the at least one through opening, into the measurement chamber, and through the exit orifice.

Abstract: A distribution system for use in an induction system with an object processing system. The distribution system provides dissimilar objects into one of a plurality of receiving units. The distribution system includes an air intake system with an opening that is a fixed distance from a conveyor section, said air intake system aiding in moving an object on the conveyor section from the conveyor section to one of a plurality of adjacent transport units.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, the invention provides an end effector for use with a programmable motion device. The end effector includes a pair of mutually opposing surfaces, at least one of the pair of mutually opposing surfaces being movable with respect to an end effector support structure for supporting the at least one of the pair of mutually opposing surfaces.

Abstract: A distribution system is disclosed for use with an induction system with an object processing system. The distribution system provides distribution of dissimilar objects into one of a plurality of receiving units. The distribution system includes an urging system for urging an object on a conveyor from the conveyor to a chute that includes at least one actuatable door for selectively dropping the object through the at least one actuable door, said chute leading to a first receiving station with a second receiving station being positioned below the at least one actuable door.

Abstract: A standardized shipping tray is disclosed for use in an order fulfillment system. The standardized shipping tray includes a bottom panel that includes raised portions that assist to inhibit rolling on an object within along the bottom panel, and at least two flexible side panels that are adapted to fold inward under a force of a wrapping.

Abstract: A robotic system is disclosed that includes an articulated arm with an end effector. The robotic system is for use in a robotic environment requiring interaction with persons in the robotic environment, and includes a plurality of lights that are illuminated responsive to known near-future movements of the articulated arm to convey the known near-future movements of the articulated arm to the persons in the robot environment.

Abstract: An end-effector system for use with a programmable motion device is disclosed. The end-effector system includes a first end-effector for performing a task of grasping and moving an object from an input area to an output area, the first end-effector including a vacuum cup gripper, a second end-effector for grasping and moving the object to assist the task performed by the first end-effector, said second end-effector including a non-vacuum gripper, and a control system comprising at least one camera for detecting movement of the object associated with the task, the control system directing the second end-effector to contact the object and move in a motion corresponding to the movement of the object associated with the task, and the control system directing the first end-effector for grasping the object and the second end-effector for contacting the object to cooperatively move the object to the output area to complete the task.

Abstract: A distribution system is disclosed for use in an induction system with an object processing system. The distribution system provides distribution of dissimilar objects into one of a plurality of receiving units. The distribution system includes an urging system for urging an object on a conveyor from the conveyor to one of a plurality of adjacent receiving stations via a receiving chute, wherein each receiving station is lower than the conveyor.

Abstract: A processing system for processing objects using a programmable motion device is disclosed. The processing system includes a perception unit for perceiving identifying indicia representative of an identity of a plurality of objects received from an input conveyance system, an acquisition system for acquiring an object from the plurality of objects at an input area using an end effector of the programmable motion device, wherein the programmable motion device is adapted for assisting in the delivery of the object to an identified processing bin, and the identified processing bin is associated with the identifying indicia and said identified processing location is provided as one of a plurality of processing bins, and a delivery system for bringing the identified processing bin toward the object, where the delivery system includes a carrier for carrying the identified processing bin toward the object.

Abstract: An induction system is disclosed for filtering the induction of objects to a plurality of object processing systems. The induction system includes an evaluation means for evaluating at least one characteristic of an object, and routing means for routing the object in one of a plurality of directions responsive to the evaluated characteristic, at least one of the plurality of directions leading to a selected one of the plurality of object processing systems.

Abstract: A sortation system is disclosed that includes a programmable motion device including an end effector, a perception system for recognizing any of the identity, location, and orientation of an object presented in a plurality of objects, a grasp selection system for selecting a grasp location on the object, the grasp location being chosen to provide a secure grasp of the object by the end effector to permit the object to be moved from the plurality of objects to one of a plurality of destination locations, and a motion planning system for providing a motion path for the transport of the object when grasped by the end effector from the plurality of objects to the one of the plurality of destination locations, wherein the motion path is chosen to provide a path from the plurality of objects to the one of the plurality of destination locations.