A method for fulfillment of an order includes receiving, at a master server, a specification of the order including a set of items. The master server selects a runner apparatus and transmits a first command to that apparatus to retrieve a first box for presentation to a picker apparatus, where the first box has an item for fulfillment of the order. The runner apparatus retrieves the first box and presents it to the picker apparatus by moving near the picker apparatus, where the picker apparatus includes a base portion that is immovable, and holding the box for access by the picker apparatus. The master server instructs the picker apparatus to sort that item from the first box to a destination box. The picker apparatus picks the item out of the box via a robot arm of the picker apparatus, and moves it to the destination box.

According to one embodiment, a suction gripping device includes a pad mechanism mounted to a base. The pad mechanism includes a sliding part and a first guide. The sliding part includes a suction pad and a pipe and is slidable in a first direction with respect to the base. The suction pad attaches to a workpiece and is connected to the pipe at one end of the pipe. The first guide guides a sliding direction of the pipe to be in the first direction. The first guide is fixed with respect to the base. An attachment surface of the suction pad contacts a first surface of a workpiece and is tiltable due to a weight of the sliding part when gripping the workpiece. The first surface crosses a sliding direction of the sliding part.

A system including a programmable motion device and an end effector for grasping objects to be moved by the programmable motion device is disclosed. The system includes a vacuum source that provides a high flow vacuum such that an object may be grasped at an end effector opening while permitting a substantial flow of air through the opening, and a dead-head limitation system for limiting any effects of dead-heading on the vacuum source in the event that a flow of air to the vacuum source is interrupted.

An article movement apparatus detects information about articles in an accumulation area, picks up one or more articles based on the detected information with a robot arm, then detects the holding state of the articles held on the robot arm, and measures a separation distance between held articles and a sorting area of a conveyance path. When a plurality of held articles is held by the robot arm, an article is selected from amongst the plurality according to distance from the article and to a surface of the sorting area. The selected article is then released to the sorting area.

Robotic grippers have been employed to grasp and manipulate target objects. One task posing relatively unique problems is the handling of meat products, which can be difficult to grasp with a conventional gripper due to the surface texture and malleability of the meat, among other factors. Exemplary embodiments described herein provide robotic grippers having one or more fingers and a plate, the plate optionally providing suction capabilities. The actuators apply a small force to the edges of the grasping target. In suctioned embodiments, an array of suction holes within the plate support the center of the grasping target by applying a light vacuum force at many points along the surface thereof In non-suctioned embodiments, the actuators grip the edges of the grasping target and the plate makes conformal contact with the grasping target to prevent it from folding or otherwise deforming or disintegrating from the gripping force of the actuators.

A robot hand apparatus includes a first holder having a bendable first sucking surface that sucks an object using negative pressure; and a second holder having a bendable second sucking surface that sucks the object using negative pressure. The first holder and the second holder are arranged such that the first sucking surface opposes the second sucking surface. When the first holder and the second holder hold the object, in a state in which the first sucking surface is bent at a first position and the second sucking surface is bent at a second position, the object is sucked to a region of the first sucking surface between the first position and a distal end of the first holder, and the object is sucked to a region of the second sucking surface between the second position and a distal end of the second holder.

A robot hand apparatus includes a first holder having a first sucking surface that is bendable at any position and that sucks an object using negative pressure; a second holder arranged to oppose the first sucking surface of the first holder; and a driving mechanism that changes a distance between the first holder and the second holder to sandwich the object between the first holder and the second holder.

A suction device is attached to a leading-end section of an articulated arm, attached by suction to a plate-shaped structural member having a curvature at least in a predetermined direction. The suction device includes a support part attached to the leading-end section of the articulated arm; a pair of suction mechanisms having a pair of suction surfaces and disposed apart from each other in an X direction with the attachment position of the support part to the leading-end section interposed between the pair of suction mechanisms; and a pair of first angle adjustment mechanisms capable of adjusting the angle of inclination, in the X direction, of each of the pair of suction surfaces of the pair of the suction mechanisms.

A suction device includes a suction pad, an article holder connected with the suction pad, and a skirt extending away from the article holder toward the suction pad. The suction pad has a contact surface configured to be adhered to a support surface. The article holder connects with the suction pad. The skirt extends away from the article holder toward the suction pad and is positioned with respect to the suction pad so as to inhibit access to the suction pad when the suction pad with the article holder connected thereto is adhered to the support surface. The skirt defines an access passage when the suction pad with the article holder connected thereto is adhered to the support surface. The access passage is configured to allow an operator's finger access to the suction pad through the access passage.

An apparatus for picking up and positioning an item includes a vacuum assembly capable of applying a suction force to the item. The apparatus further includes an item engaging plate positioned adjacent the vacuum assembly. The apparatus still further has a blocking member positioned adjacent the vacuum assembly. The blocking member is capable of interrupting the suction force. The blocking member is positionable in a first position allowing the item to be picked up and in a second position interrupting the suction force to assist disengagement of the item.