Robotic Singulation Using Active Reconfiguration in Cluttered Flows
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Manual singulation processes in parcel and distribution centers are labor-intensive and inefficient, and robotic systems face challenges in handling cluttered and dynamic item flows, making it difficult to identify, grasp, and separate items automatically.
Innovation Solution
A robotic singulation system that uses sensors and active measures, such as adjusting chutes, using robotic arms with end effectors, and blowing air, to reconfigure items and debris, allowing for autonomous item picking and placement on conveyors, even in cluttered environments, and coordinates multiple robots to maximize throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual singulation is performed by human workers, then items can be separated and routed accurately, but the process becomes labor-intensive and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sensors to automatically detect item characteristics and routing information, eliminating the need for manual inspection and decision-making while maintaining accurate separation and routing of items
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical separation by workers is replaced with an automated system combining sensors, control logic, and robotic manipulation to achieve both accuracy and high throughput in item singulation
2Productivity
If robots are used to perform singulation, then labor requirements are reduced, but it becomes difficult to identify, grasp, and separate items in cluttered environments
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by using sensors to detect and analyze the cluttered environment before robotic manipulation, identifying target items and planning grasp strategies in advance to overcome the complexity of cluttered scenes
Solution Approach 2:
Sensors serve as an intermediary between the cluttered environment and the robotic system, translating complex visual and tactile information into actionable data that enables the robot to identify and manipulate items effectively
3Productivity
If multiple robots operate in the same workspace, then collective throughput is maximized, but coordination complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple robotic systems are merged into a coordinated workflow where each robot performs specialized tasks, combining their capabilities to achieve high collective throughput while managing complexity through division of labor
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
The system improves the efficiency of singulating items by enabling autonomous operation in cluttered conditions, reducing labor requirements, and enhancing the accuracy and speed of item sorting and routing, thereby optimizing collective throughput.
Implementation Method 1
a robotic arm and end effector in an automated manner
Implementation Method 2
blowing air, to reconfigure items and debris
Data Source
AI summary
A robotic singulation system is disclosed. In various embodiments, sensor data image data associated with a plurality of items present in a workspace is received. The sensor data is used to determine and implement a plan to autonomously operate a robotic structure to pick one or more items from the workspace and place each item singly in a corresponding location in a singulation conveyance structure. The plan includes performing an active measure to change or adapt to a detected state or condition associated with one or more items in the workspace.