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: An end effector is disclosed. The end effector includes a first set of one or more suction cups of a first size having a first diameter, and a second set of one or more suction cups of a second size having a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter. The end effector further includes a first actuation mechanism configured to apply suction to at least a subset of the first set of suction cups independently of actuation of the second set of suction cups and a second actuation mechanism configured to apply suction to at least a subset of the second set of suction cups independently of actuation of the first set of suction cups.

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 end effector is disclosed. The robotic end effector includes (a) an end effector body having a top side and an operative side opposite the top side, (b) a pull force gripper disposed on the operative side of the end effector body, and (c) a first end effector support structure that is connected to the end effector body and extends from the end effector body in a direction that is orthogonal to the operative side of the end effector body.

Abstract: An end effector is disclosed. The end effector includes a first set of one or more suction cups of a first size having a first diameter, and a second set of one or more suction cups of a second size having a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter. The end effector further includes a first actuation mechanism configured to apply suction to at least a subset of the first set of suction cups independently of actuation of the second set of suction cups and a second actuation mechanism configured to apply suction to at least a subset of the second set of suction cups independently of actuation of the first set of suction cups.

Abstract: A vacuum cup connected to a robotic arm for picking and placing items is disclosed. The vacuum cup includes one or more walls that defines (i) a first internal cavity and (ii) an opening to the first internal cavity, wherein the first internal cavity is defined at least in part by an interior surface adjacent to the opening to the first internal cavity, the interior surface defining an internal ridge positioned to mechanically engage a material drawn into the first internal cavity through the opening at an angle such that the mechanical engagement resists the material being removed from the first internal cavity via the opening. In response to the item being engaged and the suction system controlling the pressure within the first internal cavity to create a vacuum seal between the vacuum cup and the item, at least part of the item is caused to enter the first internal cavity at least during engagement of the vacuum seal.

Abstract: A robotic system is disclosed. The system includes a communication interface configured to receive, from one or more sensors 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 use a geometric model based at least in part on past item placements in combination with the sensor data to estimate a state of the pallet or other receptacle and one or more items stacked on or in the pallet or other receptacle, and use the estimated state to generate or update a plan to control a robotic arm to place a next item on or in, or remove a next item from, the pallet or other receptacle in a manner that avoids having the next item collide with any other item stacked on or in the pallet or other receptacle.

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 vacuum cup connected to a robotic arm for picking and placing items is disclosed. The vacuum cup includes one or more walls that defines (i) a first internal cavity and (ii) an opening to the first internal cavity, wherein the first internal cavity is defined at least in part by an interior surface adjacent to the opening to the first internal cavity, the interior surface defining an internal ridge positioned to mechanically engage a material drawn into the first internal cavity through the opening at an angle such that the mechanical engagement resists the material being removed from the first internal cavity via the opening. In response to the item being engaged and the suction system controlling the pressure within the first internal cavity to create a vacuum seal between the vacuum cup and the item, at least part of the item is caused to enter the first internal cavity at least during engagement of the vacuum seal.

Abstract: A robotic singulation system is disclosed. In various embodiments, sensor data image including data associated with an item present in a workspace 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: An end effector is disclosed. The end effector includes a first set of one or more suction cups of a first size having a first diameter, and a second set of one or more suction cups of a second size having a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter. The end effector further includes a first actuation mechanism configured to apply suction to at least a subset of the first set of suction cups independently of actuation of the second set of suction cups and a second actuation mechanism configured to apply suction to at least a subset of the second set of suction cups independently of actuation of the first set of suction cups.

Abstract: A multi-mode robotic end effector is disclosed. In various embodiments, a multi-mode robotic end effector includes a first set of structures configured to grasp objects in a first mode of operation; a retraction mechanism configured to retract the first set of structures to a stowed position associated with a second mode of operation in response to a retraction command; and a second set of structures configured to grasp objects in a second mode of operation.

Abstract: A robotic system configured to use a multi-mode end effector is disclosed. In various embodiments, a grasp strategy is determined for a robot to grasp an object in a workspace, wherein the determined grasp strategy is associated with a corresponding one of a plurality of grasping modes of operation of a multi-mode robotic end effector associated with the robot. A command to grasp the object using the multi-mode robotic end effector in the grasping mode of operation associated with the determined grasp strategy is sent to the robot.