Provided are a parcel dropping method for a parcel picking system, a picking robot, and a picking system. The method includes providing a conveying device; operating the conveying device to receive a parcel and move towards a delivery target; and operating the conveying device to deliver the parcel to the delivery target after the conveying device moves to a delivery region. The motion speed of the conveying device is not equal to zero when the conveying device delivers the parcel.

Provided are a parcel dropping method for a parcel picking system, a picking robot, and a picking system. The method includes providing a conveying device; operating the conveying device to receive a parcel and move towards a delivery target; and operating the conveying device to deliver the parcel to the delivery target after the conveying device moves to a delivery region. The motion speed of the conveying device is not equal to zero when the conveying device delivers the parcel.

A robot system (2a . . . 2d) is specified, which comprises a robot (1a, 1b) having a gripping unit (4) for collecting and placing down/throwing goods (26a, . . . 26g), wherein the goods (26a, . . . 26g) are differentiated into multiple types with respect to their dimensional stability, compressive stability, flexural rigidity, strength, their absolute weight and/or specific weight. When the goods (26a, . . . 26g) are manipulated, the robot (1a, 1b) and/or the gripping unit (4) are controlled depending on the type determined for the goods (26a, . . . 26g). Moreover, a method for operating the robot system (2a, . . . 2d) is specified.

An apparatus and system for launching and/or capturing an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The apparatus includes a moving substrate having an electromagnetic end effector and a UAV with a metallic strike plate to be attracted to the end effector when the electromagnet is activated. The system includes a movable robotic arm having a free end and a secured end; an electromagnetic end effector connected proximate to the free end of the robotic arm; a UAV with a metallic strike to be attracted and held to the electromagnetic end effector when the electromagnetic end effector is active; trajectory software configured to control a location of the free end of the robotic arm; and a control module for receiving input data, analyzing the data and using the trajectory software to control the location of and activate or deactivate the electromagnetic end effector. Also described are methods for launching and capturing the UAV.

An apparatus and system for launching and/or capturing an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The apparatus includes a moving substrate having an electromagnetic end effector and a UAV with a metallic strike plate to be attracted to the end effector when the electromagnet is activated. The system includes a movable robotic arm having a free end and a secured end; an electromagnetic end effector connected proximate to the free end of the robotic arm; a UAV with a metallic strike to be attracted and held to the electromagnetic end effector when the electromagnetic end effector is active; trajectory software configured to control a location of the free end of the robotic arm; and a control module for receiving input data, analyzing the data and using the trajectory software to control the location of and activate or deactivate the electromagnetic end effector. Also described are methods for launching and capturing the UAV.

A robot system includes a robot having a gripping unit for picking and placing down/throwing goods, wherein the goods are differentiated into multiple types with respect to their dimensional stability, compressive stability, flexural rigidity, strength, their absolute weight and/or specific weight. When the goods are manipulated, the robot and/or the gripping unit are controlled depending on the type determined for the goods. Moreover, a method operates the robot system.

It A waste sorting robot (100) comprises a manipulator (101) moveable within a working area (102). A gripper (103) is connected to the manipulator (101) and arranged to selectively grip a waste object (104, 104a, 104b, 104c) in the working area (102). A controller (108) is in communication with a sensor (107) and is configured to receive detected object parameters, and determine a throw trajectory (109) of the gripped waste object (104) towards a target position (106) based on the detected object parameters of the gripped waste object (104). The controller (108) is configured to send control instructions to the gripper (103) and/or manipulator (101) so that the gripper (103) and/or manipulator (101) accelerates the gripped waste object (104) and releases the waste object (104) at a throw position with a throw velocity and throw angle towards the target position (106) so that the waste object (104) is thrown along the determined throw trajectory (109). A related method of controlling a waste robot is also disclosed.

Robotic arms or manipulators can be used to toss inventory items within an inventory system. Tossing strategies for the robotic arms may include information about how a grasped item is to be moved and released by a robotic arm to achieve a trajectory for moving the item to a receiving location. A tossing strategy may also use a trajectory that avoids time and/or space reserved for a trajectory of another tossed item. The receiving location can include surfaces and/or other features that can be manipulated for receiving the item based on one or more characteristics of the tossed item and/or a trajectory of the tossed item.

Robotic arms or manipulators can be used to toss inventory items within an inventory system. Tossing strategies for the robotic arms may include information about how a grasped item is to be moved and released by a robotic arm to achieve a trajectory for moving the item to a receiving location. A tossing strategy may also use a trajectory that avoids time and/or space reserved for a trajectory of another tossed item. The receiving location can include surfaces and/or other features that can be manipulated for receiving the item based on one or more characteristics of the tossed item and/or a trajectory of the tossed item.

Robotic arms or manipulators can be used to toss inventory items within an inventory system. Tossing strategies for the robotic arms may include information about how a grasped item is to be moved and released by a robotic arm to achieve a trajectory for moving the item to a receiving location. A tossing strategy may also use a trajectory that avoids time and/or space reserved for a trajectory of another tossed item. The receiving location can include surfaces and/or other features that can be manipulated for receiving the item based on one or more characteristics of the tossed item and/or a trajectory of the tossed item.