Robotic Motion Planning With AI Vision for Unpredictable Picking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Robotic equipment struggles with handling materials arranged unpredictably, leading to increased downtime and reduced efficiency due to the need for pre-programmed software and human intervention.

Innovation Solution

A robotic motion planning system that uses real-time camera monitoring and artificial intelligence to dynamically plan paths for robotic arms, adapting to various item arrangements and selecting optimal picking solutions based on visibility and position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If pre-programmed software and firmware instructions are used to control robotic equipment, then the robot can operate with stable control instructions, but it cannot handle materials arranged unpredictably and requires multiple attempts or human intervention

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to handle unpredictable material arrangementsVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from static pre-programmed instructions to dynamic real-time motion planning. The robotic system uses AI-based motion planning that continuously adapts to the actual arrangement of materials, allowing the robot to handle unpredictable configurations without requiring complex reprogramming or human intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback through AI-based vision systems that capture real-time images of material arrangements and feed this information back to the motion planning system. This closed-loop feedback enables the robot to perceive and adapt to unpredictable material configurations dynamically, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and control stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If robotic equipment requires multiple attempts or human intervention to pick items in certain arrangements, then picking accuracy can be improved, but system downtime increases and efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepicking accuracyVSAvoidsystem efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by using the vision system to capture and analyze the complete arrangement of all items before the picking process begins. The AI motion planning system pre-calculates the optimal picking sequence and paths based on this advance information, ensuring high picking accuracy while maintaining continuous operation without multiple attempts or human intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements continuity of useful action through real-time AI-based motion planning that keeps the robotic system continuously operational. By processing vision data and generating motion plans on-the-fly, the system eliminates downtime between attempts and maintains uninterrupted picking operations, thereby preserving both accuracy and productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Reliability

If robotic equipment uses hard-coded control instructions, then the control system is simple and reliable, but it cannot adapt to different item arrangements and locations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol system reliabilityVSAvoidability to handle varying item arrangements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical control system (hard-coded instructions) with an intelligent software-based AI motion planning system. This substitution maintains reliability through consistent algorithmic processing while gaining adaptability through the vision system's ability to perceive and interpret various item arrangements, allowing the robot to handle diverse configurations without compromising control stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the robotic system plans motions on-the-fly using AI feedback, then adaptability to various item arrangements is improved, but computational complexity and processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to item arrangementsVSAvoidmotion planning system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces the vision system as an intermediary between the physical material arrangements and the AI motion planning system. The vision system captures and structures visual information, converting complex real-world configurations into processed data that the motion planning algorithm can efficiently interpret and respond to, thereby reducing the computational burden while maintaining high adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12583112B2Motion planning technique for robotic systems

Publication Date: 2026.03.24 BASTIAN SOLUTIONS LLC

AI summary

A system includes a camera, a robot, and a management system. The camera is configured to capture one or more images of a material handling environment. The material handling environment normally includes one or more items. The robot is at least in part configured to move along a travel path relative to the items, and the robot is configured to pick the items. The management system is configured to monitor the material handling environment through the images from the camera. The management system is configured to determine dynamically multiple picking solutions for the items in real-time while the robot moves along the travel path.