An example method is carried out in a warehouse environment having a plurality of inventory items located therein, each having a corresponding on-item identifier. The method involves determining a target inventory item having a target on-item identifier. The method also involves determining that a first inventory item having a first on-item identifier is loaded onto a first robotic device. The method further involves transmitting a request to verify the first on-item identifier. The method still further involves receiving data captured by a sensor of the second robotic device. The method yet further involves (i) analyzing the received data to determine the first on-item identifier, (ii) comparing the first on-item identifier and the target on-item identifier, and (iii) responsive to comparing the first on-item identifier and the target on-item identifier, performing an action.

A method of processing objects is disclosed using a programmable motion device. The method includes the steps of acquiring an object from a plurality of mixed objects at an input area, perceiving identifying indicia in connection with the object, assigning an intermediate station to a destination location for the object responsive to the identifying indicia in connection with the object, and moving the acquired object toward the intermediate station.

A method of manipulating boxes includes receiving a minimum box size for a plurality of boxes varying in size located in a walled container. The method also includes dividing a grip area of a gripper into a plurality of zones. The method further includes locating a set of candidate boxes based on an image from a visual sensor. For each zone, the method additionally includes, determining an overlap of a respective zone with one or more neighboring boxes to the set of candidate boxes. The method also includes determining a grasp pose for a target candidate box that avoids one or more walls of the walled container. The method further includes executing the grasp pose to lift the target candidate box by the gripper where the gripper activates each zone of the plurality of zones that does not overlap a respective neighboring box to the target candidate box.

Methods and systems for dynamically maintaining a map of robotic devices in an environment are provided herein. A map of robotic devices may be determined, where the map includes predicted future locations of at least some of the robotic devices. One or more robotic devices may then be caused to perform a task. During a performance of the task by the one or more robotic devices, task progress data may be received from the robotic devices, indicative of which of the task phases have been performed. Based on the data, the map may be updated to include a modification to the predicted future locations of at least some of the robotic devices. One or more robotic devices may then be caused to perform at least one other task in accordance with the updated map.

Systems and methods for automated shipping optimization are described herein. In some embodiments, items may be loaded into a receptacle. As items are loaded into a receptacle, a imaging device monitors the items in order to determine if a package is inefficiently oriented in a receptacle. If a package is inefficiently oriented in a receptacle, in some embodiments, the imaging device may send instructions to a robotic device to re-orient the inefficiently oriented item. The imaging device and robotic device, in some embodiments, can monitor multiple receptacles.

A processing system is disclosed for processing objects. The processing system includes a perception system for providing perception data regarding an object, and a primary transport system for providing transport of the object along a primary direction toward a processing location that is identified based on the perception data.

Robotic carton loader or unloader incorporates three-dimensional (3D) and two-dimensional (2D) sensors to detect respectively a 3D point cloud and a 2D image of a carton pile within transportation carrier such as a truck trailer or shipping container. Edge detection is performed using the 3D point cloud, discarding segments that are two small to be part of a product such as a carton. Segments that are too large to correspond to a carton are 2D image processed to detect additional edges. Results from 3D and 2D edge detection are converted in a calibrated 3D space of the material carton loader or unloader to perform one of loading or unloading of the transportation carrier. Image processing can also detect jamming of products sequence from individually controllable zones of a conveyor of the robotic carton loader or unloader for singulated unloading.

A computing system including a processing circuit in communication with a camera having a field of view. The processing circuit obtains image information based on the objects in the field of view and defines a minimum viable region for a target open corner. Potential minimum viable regions are defined by identifying candidate edges of an object and determining potential intersection points based on the candidate edges. The minimum viable region may then be identified and validated from the potential minimum viable regions.

A robot hand device according to an embodiment includes extensible arms which can be extended and shortened, a drive motor, and at least one clutch. The extensible arms support an object to be carried and are capable of being extended and shortened. The drive motor extends and shortens the extensible arms. The at least one clutch are capable of transmitting power of the motor to at least one of the extensible arms selected among the extensible arms to extend and shorten the selected at least one of the extensible arms.

An example method is carried out in a warehouse environment having a plurality of inventory items located therein, each having a corresponding on-item identifier. The method involves determining a target inventory item having a target on-item identifier. The method also involves determining that a first inventory item having a first on-item identifier is loaded onto a first robotic device. The method further involves transmitting a request to verify the first on-item identifier. The method still further involves receiving data captured by a sensor of the second robotic device. The method yet further involves (i) analyzing the received data to determine the first on-item identifier, (ii) comparing the first on-item identifier and the target on-item identifier, and (iii) responsive to comparing the first on-item identifier and the target on-item identifier, performing an action.