There is provided a method for picking up an object from a bin to be implemented by a robotic arm including a controller and a picking-up module. The method includes: recognizing, by the controller, at least one object in the bin based on an image of an interior of the bin so as to determine a type of each object; determining, by the controller, a score for each object based on the type thereof; determining, by the controller, whether a greatest score among the score(s) of the at least one TBT object is greater than a predetermined value; and by the picking-up module, picking up one of the at least one TBT object that has the greatest score when it is determined that the greatest score is greater than the predetermined value.

An automatic control method of a mechanical arm and an automatic control system are provided. The automatic control method includes the following steps: obtaining a color image and depth information corresponding to the color image through a depth camera; performing image space cutting processing and image rotation processing according to the color image and the depth information to generate a plurality of depth images; inputting the depth images into an environmental image recognition module such that the environmental image recognition module outputs a displacement coordinate parameter; and outputting the displacement coordinate parameter to a mechanical arm control module such that the mechanical arm control module controls the mechanical arm to move according to the displacement coordinate parameter.

Systems and methods relating to an end-of-arm-tool that can be used in connection with the automated handling of vehicles, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), are disclosed. The described systems and methods can include an end-of-arm-tool which may include a load cell coupled to an end effector, such that forces and torques exerted on the end effector are translated onto the load cell. The measurement of forces and torques exerted on the end effector can facilitate determining various information in connection with the aerial vehicle, such as inertial properties or parameters associated with the aerial vehicle, the quality of the engagement between the end effector and the aerial vehicle, as well as diagnostic information in connection with the aerial vehicle. Additionally, the use of a load cell to measure forces and torques exerted on the end effector can eliminate the need to utilize traditional contact sensors typically required on the contact surfaces of an end-of-arm tool.

In an embodiment, the present invention discloses cleaned storage processes and systems for high level cleanliness articles, such as extreme ultraviolet (EUV) reticle carriers. A decontamination chamber can be used to clean the stored workpieces. A purge gas system can be used to prevent contamination of the articles stored within the workpieces. A robot can be used to detect the condition of the storage compartment before delivering the workpiece. A monitor device can be used to monitor the conditions of the stocker.

A system and method for operation of an autonomous vehicle (AV) yard truck is provided. A processor facilitates autonomous movement of the AV yard truck, and connection to and disconnection from trailers. A plurality of sensors are interconnected with the processor that sense terrain/objects and assist in automatically connecting/disconnecting trailers. A server, interconnected, wirelessly with the processor, that tracks movement of the truck around and determines locations for trailer connection and disconnection. A door station unlatches/opens rear doors of the trailer when adjacent thereto, securing them in an opened position via clamps, etc. The system computes a height of the trailer, and/or if landing gear of the trailer is on the ground and interoperates with the fifth wheel to change height, and whether docking is safe, allowing a user to take manual control, and optimum charge time(s). Reversing sensors/safety, automated chocking, and intermodal container organization are also provided.

A method and system for quickly emptying a plurality of substantially identical target items from a transport structure with a picking tool for placement into a transport container are provided. The method includes the step of providing a plurality of equivalence classes which partition all possible sequences of legal picks. Each equivalence class containing a subset of items from a ranked configuration. The method also includes ranking the equivalence classes in order of expected time efficiency and selecting the best ranked equivalence class for picking.

Systems and methods disclosed herein include a robotic arm positioned outside of the vehicle. The robotic arm may include an end effector configured as a cleaning implement for cleaning a surface in the interior of the vehicle. The system may include a first camera configured to determine a position of the vehicle with respect to a reference point. The system may include a second camera configured to scan the interior of the vehicle. The second system may include a first controller configured to create and/or modify a tool path to execute a cleaning operation, based on the scan, and to send instructions to the robotic arm to execute the cleaning operation in accordance with the created and/or modified tool path.

A method and system for manipulating a target item supported on a substantially horizontal support surface supporting a configuration of substantially identical items are provided. The system includes at least one light source configured to illuminate at least one surface including a top surface of the items to obtain backscattered illumination. A volumetric sensor such as a 2-D/3-D sensor is configured to sense the backscattered illumination to obtain at least one depth image and at least one appearance image. At least one processor is configured to determine geometric information and appearance information from the images. The at least one processor is also configured to generate a plurality of hypotheses and surprisals of the information and to rank the hypotheses based on their surprisals. In one embodiment, the best hypothesis is selected and the item is manipulated or picked from a pallet by a vision-guided robot based on the best hypothesis.

A method and system for manipulating (i.e. such as by picking) a multitude of target items supported on a substantially horizontal support surface one at a time. The support surface supports a configuration of substantially identical items aligned substantially perpendicular to the support surface. The method includes the steps of providing a plurality of hypotheses which are ranked based on surprisals of the hypotheses. Each of the hypotheses describes an observation of an item in the configuration. The observations include an observation of the appearance of a perimeter of the item and an observation of the geometry of the perimeter of the item. The method also includes generating potential configurations for potential combinations of the multiple items based on the ranked hypotheses. Finally, the potential configurations are ranked. The step of ranking includes the step of combining the surprisals of the hypotheses in each potential configuration.

A method and system for efficiently packing a transport container with a plurality of substantially identical target items picked from a transport structure with a picking tool are provided. The method includes the step of providing a plurality of equivalence classes which partition all possible sequences of legal picks. Each equivalence class containing a subset of items from a ranked configuration. The method also includes ranking the equivalence classes in order of expected time efficiency under the constraint that a minimum, predetermined level of space efficiency is maintained. Finally, the method includes selecting the best ranked equivalence class for picking.