Warehouse Robot Pose Recognition for Mixed Container Pickup

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing intelligent warehouse systems can only handle standard containers with consistent dimensions, requiring users to purchase or rent standard containers and perform additional packing, increasing costs and reducing efficiency and application range.

Innovation Solution

Implementing pose position recognition algorithms to identify and automatically pick up containers of varying types, including different sizes, materials, and shapes, by determining the appropriate recognition algorithm based on container type.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the warehouse system uses standard containers with consistent dimensions, then the automation and efficiency of warehouse operations are improved, but the application range and flexibility of the system deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewarehouse operation efficiencyVSAvoidcontainer type adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adapts its operation mode based on container type. For standard containers, it operates in automatic mode with fixed pickup points for high efficiency. For non-standard containers, it transitions to semi-automatic mode where the system guides the operator to adjust the pickup point position, combining automation with flexibility to handle diverse container types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the pickup point position parameter based on container characteristics. By adjusting this key parameter, the system can accommodate different container sizes, shapes, and types while maintaining operational efficiency and expanding adaptability to handle both standard and non-standard containers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Extent of automation

If the system requires standard containers with consistent standards, then the automation level is improved, but the user cost and processing steps increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic pickup and storage capabilityVSAvoiduser preparation cost and complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The warehouse robot system is designed with multi-functionality to handle both standard and non-standard containers. By incorporating adjustable pickup points and semi-automatic operation modes, a single system can serve multiple container types, eliminating the need for users to invest in specialized equipment for different container standards.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides self-service guidance to operators for handling non-standard containers. The control device guides operators to manually adjust pickup point positions, enabling the system to adapt to different container types without requiring complex external intervention or specialized equipment, thereby reducing user preparation costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If the warehouse robot handles only standard containers, then the system complexity is reduced, but the application range deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem structure simplicityVSAvoidcontainer type coverage
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments its operation into two distinct modes: automatic operation for standard containers and semi-automatic operation for non-standard containers. This segmentation allows the system to maintain simplicity for the majority of standard cases while adding flexibility only when needed, thereby expanding application range without significantly increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically switches between automatic and semi-automatic modes based on container type detection. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to maintain simple automatic operation for standard containers while seamlessly transitioning to flexible semi-automatic mode for non-standard containers, expanding application range without permanently increasing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4155234B1Control method and apparatus for warehouse robot, and robot and warehouse system
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 HAI ROBOTICS CO LTD
  • EP4155234B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4155234B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4155234B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

An embodiment of the disclosure provides a warehouse robot control method and apparatus, a robot, and a warehouse system. The method includes: obtaining a container scheduling instruction of a first target container, where the container scheduling instruction includes a container type of the first target container; determining a container pose recognition algorithm according to the container type of the first target container, and recognizing pose information of the first target container based on the container pose recognition algorithm; and controlling the warehouse robot to extract the first target container according to the pose information. For different types of containers, using corresponding pose recognition algorithms to determine pose information thereof and automatically extracting different types of the containers based on the pose information improve application range and efficiency of automatic pickup of the warehouse robot.