An item sorting system is described. The item sorting system includes at least one bin that holds items to be sorted and a light source that illuminates the items stored in the at least one bin. In implementations, the at least one bin includes walls that direct light, received from the light source via a first surface, for emission via a second surface facing an interior of the at least one bin. The item sorting system further includes a recognition device that identifies the items for use in sorting the items. The item sorting system further includes an end effector that manipulates the items during sorting. In some implementations, the end effector includes tips that apply a gentle vacuum force to individually manipulate items in a manner that allows for efficient sorting without damaging the items.

An item sorting system is described. The item sorting system includes at least one bin that holds items to be sorted and a light source that illuminates the items stored in the at least one bin. In implementations, the at least one bin includes walls that direct light, received from the light source via a first surface, for emission via a second surface facing an interior of the at least one bin. The item sorting system further includes a recognition device that identifies the items for use in sorting the items. The item sorting system further includes an end effector that manipulates the items during sorting. In some implementations, the end effector includes tips that apply a gentle vacuum force to individually manipulate items in a manner that allows for efficient sorting without damaging the items.

Methods and systems for sorting hides are provided. In particular, one or more embodiments comprise a tanning control system that enhances the traceability of hides by capturing and utilizing data related to the unloading, tanning, sorting, and packaging of hides. Furthermore, one or more embodiments enable the tanning control system to improve efficiency by sorting hides based, at least in part, on data generated during prior tanning processes. Additionally, one or more embodiments facilitate the tanning control system in customizing the sorting and packaging of hides based, at least in part, on one or more hide characteristics and/or customer specifications.

Methods and systems for sorting hides are provided. In particular, one or more embodiments comprise a tanning control system that enhances the traceability of hides by capturing and utilizing data related to the unloading, tanning, sorting, and packaging of hides. Furthermore, one or more embodiments enable the tanning control system to improve efficiency by sorting hides based, at least in part, on data generated during prior tanning processes. Additionally, one or more embodiments facilitate the tanning control system in customizing the sorting and packaging of hides based, at least in part, on one or more hide characteristics and/or customer specifications.

A maintenance system is disclosed for assisting in maintaining an automated carrier system for moving objects to be processed. The maintenance system includes a plurality of automated carriers that are adapted to move on an array of discontinuous standard track sections, each said automated carrier including a carrier body that is no larger in either a length or width direction that a standard track section, and an automated maintenance carrier that is adapted to move on the array of discontinuous track sections, said automated maintenance system including a maintenance body that is larger in at least one of a length or width direction than the standard track section.

An automated process for separating and recycling a broad mix of waste material including, but not limited to, paper and flexible plastics. A materials recovery facility (MRF) collects, presorts, and separates into individual commodities the material, then separates partially processed 2D blends from 3D containers, while refraining from any quality control of the 2D blends, and bales the 2D blends. A fiber center receives the bales from the MRF, aggregates the partially processed 2D blends, removes recyclable commodities including flexible plastics from the 2D blends, aggregates each recyclable commodity that is removed from the 2D blends, and forms separate commodity streams of clean paper and clean flexible plastics. Also provided are a related fiber center (and an infrastructure including the center) and at least one computer-readable non-transitory storage medium embodying software for performing the process.

An automated process for separating and recycling a broad mix of waste material including, but not limited to, paper and flexible plastics. A materials recovery facility (MRF) collects, presorts, and separates into individual commodities the material, then separates partially processed 2D blends from 3D containers, while refraining from any quality control of the 2D blends, and bales the 2D blends. A fiber center receives the bales from the MRF, aggregates the partially processed 2D blends, removes recyclable commodities including flexible plastics from the 2D blends, aggregates each recyclable commodity that is removed from the 2D blends, and forms separate commodity streams of clean paper and clean flexible plastics. Also provided are a related fiber center (and an infrastructure including the center) and at least one computer-readable non-transitory storage medium embodying software for performing the process.

A bin exchange system is disclosed that includes a plurality of automated carriers, each of which is adapted to be remotely movable on an array of track sections, at least one input station by which bins may be introduced to the array of track sections, at least one processing station in communication with the array of track sections wherein objects may be moved between bins, and at least one output station by which bins may be removed from the array of track sections.

A maintenance system is disclosed for assisting in maintaining an automated carrier system for moving objects to be processed. The maintenance system includes a plurality of automated carriers that are adapted to move on an array of discontinuous standard track sections, each said automated carrier including a carrier body that is no larger in either a length or width direction that a standard track section, and an automated maintenance carrier that is adapted to move on the array of discontinuous track sections, said automated maintenance system including a maintenance body that is larger in at least one of a length or width direction than the standard track section.

An object processing system within a trailer for a tracker trailer is disclosed. The object processing system includes an input area of the trailer at which objects to be processed may be presented, a perception system for providing perception data regarding objects to be processed, and a primary transport system for providing transport of each object in one of at least two primary transport directions within the trailer based on the perception data.