Abstract: A method and system for obtaining an identifier from an item is disclosed. The method includes autonomously operating a robotic structure having a robotic arm to pick an item using an end effector of the robotic arm along a predetermined path from a source location to a destination location according to a plan. The picked item is moved according to the plan. An active measure is determined to be performed at least in part to obtain an identifier determined to be missing based on information received via the communication interface from one or more sensors. The robotic structure is autonomously operated to place the item at the destination location based at least in part on the plan.

Abstract: A method and system for obtaining an identifier from an item is disclosed. The method includes autonomously operate a robotic structure to move an item along a predetermined path from a source location to a destination location, and autonomously operating the robotic structure to place the item at the destination location based at least in part on the plan. The item comprises one or more identifiers, and in response to a determination that at least one of the one or more identifiers was not obtained by one or more sensors, an active measure is performed to cause the one or more sensors to obtain the at least one identifier that was not obtained. The predetermined path corresponds to a path along which the item is moved from the source location to the destination location. The predetermined path is planned so that the item is moved within a threshold range of the one or more sensors while the item is moved along the predetermined path.

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: The present application discloses a system, a method, and a computer system for moving items deemed to be too heavy to be picked up by a robotic arm. The method includes (i) receiving sensor data from one or more sensors associated with a source conveyor configured to convey items to a pick location, (ii) determining, based at least in part on the sensor data, that an item that is too heavy to be lifted by a robotic arm controlled by the one or more processors has entered the source conveyor, and (iii) providing an output indicating that the item too heavy to be lifted by the robotic arm has been detected.

Abstract: A robotic singulation system that provides an automated visual indication for human intervention is disclosed. In various embodiments, the system includes a communication interface; and a processor coupled to the communication interface and configured to: receive via the communication interface an indication of an error with respect to a receptacle comprising a conveyance structure; and in response to the indication, cause a visual indication to be provided with respect to the receptacle as it is moved through a workspace by the conveyance structure.

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: The present application discloses a system, a method, and a computer system for moving items deemed to be too heavy to be picked up by a robotic arm. The method includes (i) receiving image data associated with a workspace, wherein the workspace includes a source of items to be placed singly each in a respective corresponding location on a segmented conveyance structure adjacent to at least a portion of the source of items, (ii) receiving an indication that a first item in the source of items is too heavy to be picked up by a first robotic arm the one or more processors are configured to control, (iii) determining, based at least in part on the image data, a plan to use the first robotic arm to push the first item onto an associated corresponding location on the segmented conveyance structure as the associated corresponding location on the segmented conveyance structure moves past the source of items, and (iv) controlling the first robotic arm to implement the plan.

Abstract: The present application discloses a system, a method, and a computer system for handling items deemed to require special handling. The method includes (i) receiving via the communication interface an indication that a given item in a source of items requires special handling, and (ii) actuating an item diversion structure comprising or otherwise associated with the source of items to divert the given item to a location associated with alternative item handling.

Abstract: A robotic singulation system configured to enable automated routing of manually scanned packages is disclosed. In various embodiments, image data associated with a workspace in which at least a portion of a segmented conveyance structure is located is received at a processor via a communication interface. A visually-provided user input indicating a receptacle comprising the segmented conveyance structure is detected, based at least in part on the image data. A receptacle identifier associated with the receptacle indicated by the visually-provided user input is determined, in response to the visually-provided input and based at least in part on the image data. A scanned package information is associated with the receptacle identifier, at least in part in response to the visually-provided input.

Abstract: The present application discloses a system, a method, and a computer system for correlating information to facilitate automated sortation. The method includes (i) receiving, by one or more processors, a first optical sensor data comprising a first element of routing data required to route an item but not a second element of routing data required, in addition to the first element, to route the item, (ii) obtaining the second element of routing data from a second optical sensor data, and (iii) causing the item to be routed based at least in part on the first element of routing data and the second element of routing data.

Abstract: The present application discloses a method, system, and computer system for controlling a gating structure to mediate a flow of items an input source to a pick area. The system includes: (i) the gating structure, which is configured to use a plurality of gate elements to mediate a flow of items from the input source to the pick area, (ii) a sensor configured to provide a sensor output associated with the pick area, and (iii) a processor configured to provide a control input to the gating structure to adjust a configuration of one or more of the plurality of gating elements based at least in part on the sensor output. The sensor output comprises the sensor output comprises one or more of a flow rate, a number, and an orientation of objects in an area associated with picking of objects by one or more robots. The control input is determined based at least in part on one or more of the flow rate, the number, and the orientation of objects in the area associated with picking of objects by one or more robots.

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 method and system for obtaining an identifier from an item is disclosed. The method includes autonomously operate a robotic structure to move an item along a predetermined path from a source location to a destination location, and autonomously operating the robotic structure to place the item at the destination location based at least in part on the plan. The item comprises one or more identifiers, and in response to a determination that at least one of the one or more identifiers was not obtained by one or more sensors, an active measure is performed to cause the one or more sensors to obtain the at least one identifier that was not obtained. The predetermined path corresponds to a path along which the item is moved from the source location to the destination location. The predetermined path is planned so that the item is moved within a threshold range of the one or more sensors while the item is moved along the predetermined path.

Abstract: A robotic system is disclosed. The system includes a communication interface, and one or more processors coupled to the communication interface and configured to: receive, via the communication interface, data associated with a plurality of items within a workspace, determine to control a flow of items on a chute based at least in part on the data associated with the plurality of items within the workspace, and in response to determining to control the flow of items, implement to control the flow of items at least by controlling a flow disrupter move in a manner that causes the flow of items to change, wherein the flow disrupter is flush with the chute when the flow disrupter is not deployed to impede the flow of items.

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 singulation system is disclosed. In various embodiments, sensor data including data associated with an item present in a workspace is received. The sensor data is used to determine and implement a plan to autonomously operate a robotic structure to move and place the item singly in a corresponding location in a singulation conveyance structure. The plan takes into consideration an attribute of the item determined based at least in part on the sensor data.

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 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.