Disclosed is a method of positioning a limp flat workpiece is described, wherein the flat workpiece is provided in a random state on a manipulation surface. Subsequently, a camera image showing the flat workpiece is generated, and a grippable edge of the flat workpiece is identified by extracting characteristic image features of the camera image. Thereafter, a first gripping point for a first gripper and a second gripping point for a second gripper are determined, the second gripping point being spaced apart from the first gripping point. Also disclosed is positioning device for positioning a limp flat workpiece is presented.

Candidate grasping models of a deformable object are applied to generate a simulation of a response of the deformable object to the grasping model. From the simulation, grasp performance metrics for stress, deformation controllability, and instability of the response to the grasping model are obtained, and the grasp performance metrics are correlated with robotic grasp features.

A grasping apparatus brings a hand unit to a standstill after performing a grasping motion for a target object that deforms when being grasped, performs a determination operation of making an arm unit move and displace the whole hand unit so that a part of the target object that is not grasped by the hand unit may cover a specific spot, and determines that the hand unit has successfully grasped the target object when an observation unit can no longer observe the specific spot after starting the determination operation.

According to one embodiment, a holding device includes a holder and a controller. The holder is configured to hold an object. The controller is configured to determine a holding posture and a holding position of the holder with respect to the object so that at least one of protrusion of the holder from an outer shape of the object and protrusion of the object from an outer shape of the holder satisfies a predetermined condition when viewed in a direction in which the object and the holder overlap each other, based on information indicating the outer shape of the object.

A control server controls a dual-arm robotic manipulator (DARM) for handling deformable objects in a stack. The control server receives a set of images of the stack captured by a set of image sensors, and determines a contour of the stack based the set of images. Based on the contour and historical data associated with the deformable objects in the stack, the control server determines a sequence of actions to be performed by the DARM for handling a first deformable object in the stack, and controls the DARM to handle the first deformable object by communicating a set of commands corresponding to each action in sequence of actions. The first deformable object is handled such that original form factors of the first deformable object and the remaining stack are maintained.

Techniques are disclosed to perform robotic handling of soft products in non-rigid packaging. In various embodiments, sensor data associated with a workspace is received. An action to be performed in the workspace using one or more robotic elements is determined, the action including moving an end effector of one of the robotic elements relatively quickly to a location in proximity to an item to be grasped; actuating a grasping mechanism of the end effector to grasp the item using an amount of force and structures associated with minimized risk of damage to one or both of the item and its packaging; and using sensor data generated subsequent to the item being grasped to ensure the item has been grasped securely. Control communications are sent to the robotic element via the communication interface to cause robotic element to perform the action.

A vibration suppression system includes a ground manipulator, a flexible bar structure connected to an end of the ground manipulator, and at least one vibration suppression device configured to be distributedly arranged to be attached/detached to/from the flexible bar structure and configured to be controlled to reduce vibration and deflection occurring in the flexible bar structure by dispersing a load applied to the flexible bar structure due to movement or disturbance of the ground manipulator.

Devices, systems, and methods for autonomously separating and sorting a plurality of individual articles from a pile of laundry articles into two or more sorted loads for washing are described. For example, an autonomous sorting and separating system includes a stationary surface configured to receive thereon at a first location the pile of laundry articles. A plurality of actuatable grippers are disposed at spaced apart positions adjacent the stationary surface and comprise a first actuatable gripper configured to grasp, hoist, and deposit at a second location at least one of the plurality of individual articles within reach of a second actuatable gripper. A terminal gripper comprising at least one of the second actuatable gripper and another actuatable gripper is configured to release an individual article into one of the two or more sorted loads. At least one controller is in operable communication with the grippers.

A control server controls a dual-arm robotic manipulator (DARM) for handling deformable objects in a stack. The control server receives a set of images of the stack captured by a set of image sensors, and determines a contour of the stack based the set of images. Based on the contour and historical data associated with the deformable objects in the stack, the control server determines a sequence of actions to be performed by the DARM for handling a first deformable object in the stack, and controls the DARM to handle the first deformable object by communicating a set of commands corresponding to each action in sequence of actions. The first deformable object is handled such that original form factors of the first deformable object and the remaining stack are maintained.

Techniques are disclosed to perform robotic handling of soft products in non-rigid packaging. In various embodiments, sensor data associated with a workspace is received. An action to be performed in the workspace using one or more robotic elements is determined, the action including moving an end effector of one of the robotic elements relatively quickly to a location in proximity to an item to be grasped; actuating a grasping mechanism of the end effector to grasp the item using an amount of force and structures associated with minimized risk of damage to one or both of the item and its packaging; and using sensor data generated subsequent to the item being grasped to ensure the item has been grasped securely. Control communications are sent to the robotic element via the communication interface to cause robotic element to perform the action.