Self-Identifying Overpackage for Accurate Robotic Grasping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Robotic systems face challenges in accurately identifying and grasping objects of varying shapes, sizes, and weights due to their diverse physical characteristics, which hinders efficient object manipulation and processing in fulfillment centers.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of self-identifying overpackages equipped with detectable identifiers such as AprilTags, QR codes, and RFID tags allows robots to uniquely identify and orient objects, providing guidance for precise grasping and handling through features like pivoting flanges and suction points, enabling reliable and efficient object retrieval and movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If robots attempt to manipulate objects directly based on their diverse physical characteristics, then the system can handle various object types, but the accuracy of identification and grasping deteriorates due to the enormous variation in shapes, sizes, and weights
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an overpackage as an intermediary carrier that standardizes the interface between robots and diverse objects. The overpackage includes uniform identification markers and grasping features that mediate between the variable objects and the robot's manipulation system, enabling accurate identification and grasping regardless of the underlying object's physical characteristics
Solution Approach 2:
The overpackage creates a homogeneous interface layer with consistent identification markers and grasping features across all objects. This standardization allows the robot to use uniform procedures for identification and manipulation, eliminating the complexity arising from object diversity while maintaining the ability to handle various object types
2Measurement precision
If robots manually identify and grasp each object individually, then manipulation accuracy can be maintained, but the processing speed deteriorates and cannot match existing manual processes
Solution Approach 1:
The overpackage comes pre-equipped with identification markers and grasping features before the robot encounters it. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex real-time analysis and manipulation planning, allowing the robot to quickly identify and grasp objects at standardized points, thereby increasing processing speed while maintaining accuracy
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system uses complex manipulation procedures to handle object variations, then all object types can be processed, but the device complexity increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The overpackage serves as a mediator that absorbs the complexity of object variations. Instead of requiring the robot system to adapt to each object's unique characteristics, the overpackage provides a standardized interface with uniform identification markers and grasping features, simplifying the manipulation procedures while maintaining the ability to handle diverse objects
Data Source
AI summary
Features are disclosed for an overpackage that can contain an object and provide for automated identification and handling of the object by a robotic retrieval system. The automated identification and handling are enabled through self-identifying marks on the overpackage that indicate the identity of the overpackage as well as the relative location of the mark on the overpackage. Using the location information, a robot or other autonomous actor of the robotic retrieval system can identify a path to a pick point and detect whether the proper pick point is engaged through additional identifiers on the overpackage or a pick point.