The utility model relates to the field of goods taking and placing devices. The utility model discloses a single-motor goods picking and placing mechanism which comprises an object placing piece, a driving piece, a driving arm, a driving gear and a guiding piece, the object placing piece comprises a plurality of object placing grooves, the driving piece comprises a driving motor, a driving groove and a driving disc, a driving groove protruding part protrudes out of the driving groove, and a hollow driving cavity is formed between the driving disc and the driving groove protruding part; the driving arm comprises a driving rod, a driven gear and a clamping part, the driven gear is meshed with the driving gear, a steering part is arranged on the driving gear, a sliding way is arranged on the driving groove, the steering part moves on the sliding way, and a part of the sliding way is sunken downwards. According to the steering device, 180-degree steering of the clamping part is achieved only through a mechanical structure, participation of electronic control elements and complex circuits is reduced, the risk of steering function failure caused by electronic element faults and circuit problems is reduced, and the whole steering action is more stable and reliable.