Robotic Item Identification Through Adaptive Scan Path Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current robotic systems face challenges in efficiently performing kitting and singulation tasks due to mobility restrictions and difficulties in designing end effectors that can handle items of arbitrary size, fragility, and consistency, leading to labor-intensive processes and limited automation in kitting and singulation operations.
Innovation Solution
A robotic system with modular components, including kitting and singulation modules, equipped with sensors and a control computer that uses machine-readable information and sensors to autonomously pick and place items, adjust paths for optimal scanning, and invoke human assistance when necessary, to improve the efficiency of kitting and singulation processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If traditional robotic systems are used for kitting and singulation, then automation is achieved, but mobility restrictions and difficulty in handling arbitrary items reduce effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system employs dynamic path adjustment capabilities, where the robotic arm can modify its movement trajectory in real-time based on item characteristics detected during operation. This allows the system to adapt to varying item sizes, shapes, and fragility without requiring complete reprogramming, thereby maintaining high automation while improving versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters such as gripper force, movement speed, and path coordinates dynamically based on item properties. By adjusting these parameters in response to detected item characteristics, the robotic system can handle diverse items effectively while maintaining automated operation.
2Strength
If robotic arms with large end effectors are used, then gripping capability is improved, but ability to reach into bins and shelves is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The end effector is divided into multiple segments or components that can move independently relative to each other. This segmentation allows the gripper to maintain sufficient gripping strength while reducing the overall envelope size, enabling the robotic arm to reach into confined spaces like bins and shelves.
Solution Approach 2:
The end effector components are designed to nest within each other when not in use, minimizing the extended length of the robotic arm's end effector. This nesting capability allows the system to maintain strong gripping capability when needed while reducing the reach limitation when accessing confined storage areas.
3Measurement precision
If sensors and scanning are integrated into robotic paths, then item identification accuracy is improved, but path complexity and programming difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system performs self-calibration and automatic path generation by using its own sensors to detect item locations and characteristics. Rather than requiring complex pre-programming, the system autonomously determines optimal paths based on real-time sensor data, simplifying the programming process while maintaining high identification accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates continuous feedback loops where sensor data from item scanning is immediately used to adjust the robotic path. This feedback mechanism allows the system to achieve high identification accuracy through adaptive path modification without requiring complex upfront programming, as the system learns and adjusts during operation.
Data Source
AI summary
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.