Systems and methods for sorting recyclable items and other materials are provided. In one embodiment, a system for sorting objects comprises: at least one imaging sensor; a controller comprising a processor and memory storage, wherein the controller receives image data captured by the image sensor; and at least one pusher device coupled to the controller, wherein the at least one pusher device is configured to receive an actuation signal from the controller. The processor is configured to detect objects travelling on a conveyor device and recognize at least one target item traveling on a conveyor device by processing the image data and to determine an expected time when the at least one target item will be located within a diversion path of the pusher device. The controller selectively generates the actuation signal based on whether a sensed object detected in the image data comprise the at least one target item.

An apparatus and system include an upper stepped chute having a substantially downward sloped configuration; a lower stepped chute having a substantially downward sloped configuration; and an intermediate conveyor section separating the upper stepped chute from the lower stepped chute. The intermediate conveyor section has a slope that is different from the slope of the upper stepped chute and the lower stepped chute.

An apparatus and system include an upper stepped chute having a substantially downward sloped configuration; a lower stepped chute having a substantially downward sloped configuration; and an intermediate conveyor section separating the upper stepped chute from the lower stepped chute. The intermediate conveyor section has a slope that is different from the slope of the upper stepped chute and the lower stepped chute.

A robotic system comprising an end effector-mounted sensor is disclosed. In various embodiments, a robotic arm is manipulated to move a sensor to a position such that an object of interest is within a read range of the sensor. A sensor data read by the sensor is received via a communication interface. The sensor data is used to determine an attribute of the object; and the determined attribute of the object is used to determine a plan to grasp and move the object.

Devices, systems, and methods for isolating an insect pupa from an aqueous solution including a plurality of insect pupae. An isolation device may include a primary channel through which the aqueous solution and insect pupae travel, an outlet, and a secondary channel that intersects the primary channel. The secondary channel may transport a fluid to add it to the primary channel between an inlet and the outlet. When the sealable outlet is closed, an insect pupa located downstream of the intersection of the primary and secondary channels remains stationary while any insect pupae upstream of the intersection are pushed towards the inlet. The systems and methods described herein may also provide for identifying and sorting insect pupae.

Devices, systems, and methods for isolating an insect pupa from an aqueous solution including a plurality of insect pupae. An isolation device may include a primary channel through which the aqueous solution and insect pupae travel, an outlet, and a secondary channel that intersects the primary channel. The secondary channel may transport a fluid to add it to the primary channel between an inlet and the outlet. When the sealable outlet is closed, an insect pupa located downstream of the intersection of the primary and secondary channels remains stationary while any insect pupae upstream of the intersection are pushed towards the inlet. The systems and methods described herein may also provide for identifying and sorting insect pupae.

An apparatus and system include an upper stepped chute having a substantially downward sloped configuration; a lower stepped chute having a substantially downward sloped configuration; and an intermediate conveyor section separating the upper stepped chute from the lower stepped chute. The intermediate conveyor section has a slope that is different from the slope of the upper stepped chute and the lower stepped chute.

An apparatus and system include an upper stepped chute having a substantially downward sloped configuration; a lower stepped chute having a substantially downward sloped configuration; and an intermediate conveyor section separating the upper stepped chute from the lower stepped chute. The intermediate conveyor section has a slope that is different from the slope of the upper stepped chute and the lower stepped chute.

The invention relates to equipment for automatically feeding parcels to a sorting conveyor, the equipment having a platform for temporarily storing a pile of parcels arranged loosely, a first vision system designed to form a digital image of the loose pile of parcels while it is stationary on the platform, a processor unit having setting data for responding to the digital image by identifying a parcel for singulating that presents a grip face that is not covered by another parcel, and by supplying indicative data about the three-dimensional position, the orientation in three dimensions, and the dimensions of the grip face, and a pneumatic gripper head of a robotic arm that is controlled on the basis of said data so as to take hold of the parcel for singulating by its grip face.

The invention relates to equipment for automatically feeding parcels to a sorting conveyor, the equipment having a platform for temporarily storing a pile of parcels arranged loosely, a first vision system designed to form a digital image of the loose pile of parcels while it is stationary on the platform, a processor unit having setting data for responding to the digital image by identifying a parcel for singulating that presents a grip face that is not covered by another parcel, and by supplying indicative data about the three-dimensional position, the orientation in three dimensions, and the dimensions of the grip face, and a pneumatic gripper head of a robotic arm that is controlled on the basis of said data so as to take hold of the parcel for singulating by its grip face.