A method of operating a package handling system includes: receiving first image data representative of a first surface image of a package surface; identifying a pair of intersecting edges for the package surface based on the first image; determining a minimum viable region based on the pair of edges, the minimum viable region for gripping and lifting the package; receiving second image data representative of the package after the lift; and creating registration data based on the third image data.

Techniques are disclosed to use a robotic arm to palletize or depalletize diverse items. In various embodiments, data associated with a plurality of items to be stacked on or in a destination location is received. A plan to stack the items on or in the destination location is generated based at least in part on the received data. The plan is implemented at least in part by controlling a robotic arm of the robot to pick up the items and stack them on or in the receptacle according to the plan, including by for each item: using one or more first order sensors to move the item to a first approximation of a destination position for that item at the destination location; and using one or more second order sensors to snug the item into a final position.

An trajectory information generating unit for generating trajectory information defining a trajectory for which a picking hand picks a work at a first position and arranges the work at a second position, an execution control unit for operating a picking apparatus based on trajectory information generated by the trajectory information generating unit, and an execution time estimating unit for estimating a period of time from when the picking apparatus receives an instruction for starting an operation on a work to a time when the operation of the picking apparatus on the work is ended are included. The trajectory information generating unit may adjust an amount of calculation based on an estimation result of the execution time estimating unit.

Embodiments herein describe a pick or stow system that uses a mechanical system to stow an item into a container, retrieve an item from the container, or both. In one embodiment, the mechanical system includes a gantry or a robotic arm that permits various sensors, tools, or end effectors to interact with a plurality of containers. For example, the plurality of containers may be supported by a rack where each container may have any number of types of items. The gantry or robotic arm can move the sensors, tools, or end effectors to a particular container to either stow an item into the container or pick an item from the container.

Autonomously operated systems and methods of packing unbound folded laundry articles are described. A system of stacking a plurality of folded laundry articles onto a receiving surface includes two or more side-by-side parallel extendable surfaces configured to extend at least one of independently and simultaneously, at least one sensor configured to detect a presence of one or more folded laundry articles on at least one of the surfaces, and a controller in operative communication with at least one drive of the two or more surfaces and the at least one sensor. The controller is configured to extend a loading end of at least one of the surfaces out upon receiving a signal from the at least one sensor, and retract the loading end to deposit the one or more folded laundry articles atop at least one of the receiving surface and one or more previously deposited folded laundry articles.

An trajectory information generating unit for generating trajectory information defining a trajectory for which a picking hand picks a work at a first position and arranges the work at a second position, an execution control unit for operating a picking apparatus based on trajectory information generated by the trajectory information generating unit, and an execution time estimating unit for estimating a period of time from when the picking apparatus receives an instruction for starting an operation on a work to a time when the operation of the picking apparatus on the work is ended are included. The trajectory information generating unit may adjust an amount of calculation based on an estimation result of the execution time estimating unit.

Devices, systems, and methods for autonomously queueing a plurality of folded laundry articles in a packing queue are described. A packing system includes a packing queue platform configured to receive a folded laundry article into one of a plurality of packing queue locations disposed along a length of the platform, a double ended conveyor, one or more sensors configured to detect a packing queue location, and a controller. The double ended conveyor includes a retrieving end and a depositing end. The conveyor is configured to be mounted to a one or more fixed rails for traveling along the length of the queue platform and cantilevering the depositing end over the packing queue platform for depositing the folded laundry article onto either a surface of the packing queue platform or another previously deposited folded laundry article of the plurality of folded laundry articles.

Techniques are disclosed to use a robotic arm to palletize or depalletize diverse items. In various embodiments, data associated with a plurality of items to be stacked on or in a destination location is received. A plan to stack the items on or in the destination location is generated based at least in part on the received data. The plan is implemented at least in part by controlling a robotic arm of the robot to pick up the items and stack them on or in the receptacle according to the plan, including by for each item: using one or more first order sensors to move the item to a first approximation of a destination position for that item at the destination location; and using one or more second order sensors to snug the item into a final position.

A method of operating a package handling system includes: receiving first image data representative of a first surface image of a package surface; identifying a pair of intersecting edges for the package surface based on the first image; determining a minimum viable region based on the pair of edges, the minimum viable region for gripping and lifting the package; receiving second image data representative of the package after the lift; and creating registration data based on the third image data.

A calculation device for calculating an appropriate stowage pattern of articles, and a robot controller including the calculation device. The calculation device has: a model generating section configured to generate first physical models of the articles based on dimensions of respective types of the articles, and generate a second physical model of a containing region in which the articles are stacked, based on a dimension of the containing region; a locating section configured to locate the first models in the second model, in descending order of priority predetermined with respect to the types of the articles; and a physical calculating section configured to add vibration or a shock to the second model each time when the first models is located in the second model, and calculate a change in a position and/or orientation of the first model in the second model due to the vibration or the shock.