An object processing system is disclosed that includes a plurality of track sections, and a plurality of remotely actuatable carriers for controlled movement along at least portions of the plurality of track sections, wherein each of the remotely controllable carriers is adapted to support and transport an object processing bin.

A robot system includes a track that extends along an axis between a first location and a second location. The track includes a pair of rails and a power transmitter and a radiating cable each extending along the track. A carriage is configured to convey a robot arm along the track. The carriage includes a plurality of wheels configured to roll along the pair of rails, a motor configured to drive at least one of the wheels along one of the rails, a power collector configured to translate along the power transmitter while maintaining contact with the power transmitter so as to conduct electrical power from the power transmitter to the motor, and a transceiver configured to receive and send electronic information from and to the radiating cable.

A robot system includes a robot that self-travels along a traveling shaft and is provided with a position detection sensor at a distal end, a support member that has a plurality of reference positions juxtaposed and supports a workpiece, a plurality of calibration members that are juxtaposed along the traveling shaft, and a control device, in which the calibration members each have a calibration position, and the control device is configured to cause the robot to move by a predetermined first distance along the traveling shaft, calibrate position coordinates of the robot based on position coordinates of the calibration positions detected by the position detection sensor, and subsequently calibrate position coordinates of the workpiece based on position coordinates of the reference positions detected by the position detection sensor.

A robotic system is provided for assembling parts together. In the assembly process, both parts are moving separately with one part moving on an assembly base and another part moving on a moveable arm of a robot base. Motion data is measured by an inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor. Movement of the robot base or moveable arm is then compensated based on the measured motion to align the first and second parts with each other and assemble the parts together.

One variation of a method for autonomously scanning and processing a part includes: accessing a part model representing a part positioned in a work zone adjacent a robotic system; retrieving a sanding head translation speed; retrieving a toolpath for execution on the part defining positions, orientations, and target forces applied by the sanding head to the part. The method includes traversing the sanding head along the toolpath, at the sanding head translation speed; reading a sequence of applied forces from a force sensor coupled to the sanding head at positions along the toolpath; and deviating from the toolpath to maintain the set of applied forces within a threshold difference of a sequence of target forces along the toolpath. In one variation of the method, the robotic system executes a toolpath at a duration less than target duration by selectively varying target force and sanding head translation speed across the part.

One variation of a method for autonomously scanning and processing a part includes: accessing a part model representing a part positioned in a work zone adjacent a robotic system; retrieving a sanding head translation speed; retrieving a toolpath for execution on the part defining positions, orientations, and target forces applied by the sanding head to the part. The method includes traversing the sanding head along the toolpath, at the sanding head translation speed; reading a sequence of applied forces from a force sensor coupled to the sanding head at positions along the toolpath; and deviating from the toolpath to maintain the set of applied forces within a threshold difference of a sequence of target forces along the toolpath. In one variation of the method, the robotic system executes a toolpath at a duration less than target duration by selectively varying target force and sanding head translation speed across the part.

One variation of a method for autonomously scanning and processing a part includes: collecting a set of images depicting a part positioned within a work zone adjacent a robotic system; assembling the set of images into a part model representing the part. The method includes segmenting areas of the part model—delineated by local radii of curvature, edges, or color boundaries—into target zones for processing by the robotic system and exclusion zones avoided by the robotic system. The method includes: projecting a set of keypoints onto the target zone of part model defining positions, orientations, and target forces of a sanding head applied at locations on the part model; assembling the set of keypoints into a toolpath and projecting the toolpath onto the target zone of the part model; and transmitting the toolpath to a robotic system to execute the toolpath on the part within the work zone.

A method and system for obtaining an identifier from an item is disclosed. The method includes autonomously operate a robotic structure to move an item along a predetermined path from a source location to a destination location, and autonomously operating the robotic structure to place the item at the destination location based at least in part on the plan. The item comprises one or more identifiers, and in response to a determination that at least one of the one or more identifiers was not obtained by one or more sensors, an active measure is performed to cause the one or more sensors to obtain the at least one identifier that was not obtained. The predetermined path corresponds to a path along which the item is moved from the source location to the destination location. The predetermined path is planned so that the item is moved within a threshold range of the one or more sensors while the item is moved along the predetermined path.

One variation of a method for autonomously scanning and processing a part includes: collecting a set of images depicting a part positioned within a work zone adjacent a robotic system; assembling the set of images into a part model representing the part. The method includes segmenting areas of the part model—delineated by local radii of curvature, edges, or color boundaries—into target zones for processing by the robotic system and exclusion zones avoided by the robotic system. The method includes: projecting a set of keypoints onto the target zone of part model defining positions, orientations, and target forces of a sanding head applied at locations on the part model; assembling the set of keypoints into a toolpath and projecting the toolpath onto the target zone of the part model; and transmitting the toolpath to a robotic system to execute the toolpath on the part within the work zone.

A data storage blade includes a plurality of data storage cartridges, with each of the plurality of data storage cartridges comprising at least one data storage medium. The data storage blade also includes shared drive electronics (SDE) external to the plurality of data storage cartridges. The SDE is configured to control data access operations on different data storage cartridges of the plurality of data storage cartridges. The data storage blade further includes a controller-override mechanism activatable to disable communication between the SDE and the plurality of data storage cartridges.