RFID Picking Robot Navigation for Manual Trolley Bottlenecks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional picking trolleys require manual movement by workers, leading to inefficient picking operations in distribution centers.
Innovation Solution
A picking assistance robot equipped with an RFID reader, mobile body, and terminal that moves autonomously to product locations based on instructions, allowing workers to focus on picking operations and ensuring efficient product retrieval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional picking trolley is used, then the worker can manually move the trolley to the product location, but the picking operation becomes inefficient due to manual movement requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The picking assistance robot autonomously moves itself to the product location based on location information from the picking instruction, eliminating the need for the worker to manually move the trolley. The robot independently navigates to the shelf, reads RFID tags, and assists the worker in the picking operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical movement system with an automated mobile body that uses location information and RFID technology to navigate and identify products. The mobile body autonomously transports the housing to the correct location without requiring worker physical effort.
2Measurement precision
If the worker focuses on picking operations only, then picking accuracy improves, but the worker cannot efficiently move between product locations
Solution Approach 1:
The robot autonomously handles the movement and navigation tasks, allowing the worker to concentrate solely on the picking operation. The mobile body independently travels to each product location, reads RFID tags to identify products, and positions the housing for the worker to efficiently retrieve items.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a terminal and RFID reader as intermediaries between the worker and the product locations. The terminal receives picking instructions and provides location information to the mobile body, while the RFID reader automatically identifies products, freeing the worker from navigation and product identification tasks.
3Measurement precision
If RFID tag reading is implemented, then product identification accuracy improves, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual product identification with an automated RFID reading system. The RFID reader automatically reads tags on products when the housing is positioned at the product location, eliminating manual scanning or visual identification and providing accurate, rapid product recognition.
Solution Approach 2:
The RFID reader and terminal serve multiple functions: they provide location information to the mobile body, identify products through RFID tag reading, and communicate picking status. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems for navigation, identification, and communication.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances work efficiency by enabling the robot to move products to designated shelves, reducing manual labor and improving accuracy through RFID tag reading and worker authentication, thereby optimizing the picking process.
Implementation Method 1
an RFID reader including an antenna disposed at a position capable of reading the RFID tag when the product is housed in the housing
Data Source
AI summary
It is possible to provide a picking assistance robot and a picking assisting system capable of assisting a worker in efficiently picking a product. A picking assistance robot includes a housing for housing a product to which an RFID tag is attached, an RFID reader including an antenna disposed at a position capable of reading of the RFID tag when the product is housed in the housing, a terminal configured to receive a picking instruction, and a mobile body containing the housing and the RFID reader and configured to move to a location where the product is arranged based on location information of the product included in the picking instruction.