A workpiece transport apparatus for transporting a workpiece includes: a hand device; a moving device that includes a movable part mounted with the hand device and that includes at least one drive axis configured to operate the movable part; a current measurement section configured to measure a current value of a motor that drives the drive axis; and a workpiece number detection section configured to detect that a number of workpieces held by the hand device is different from an expected number based on a comparison result between the current value measured by the current measurement section when the hand device holds the workpiece, and a predetermined threshold value.

Methods and systems for assessing a robotic grasping technique. The system in accordance with various embodiments may include a warehouse management system for retrieving and storing items, a robotic manipulator for grasping an item, and analysis module configured to receive data regarding a first grasp attempt by the robotic manipulator and analyze the received data to determine whether the robotic manipulator successfully grasped the item.

Methods and systems for training a robotic manipulator. The system may include one or more sensor devices and a robotic manipulator for executing an item grasping strategy to grasp an item. The system may further evaluate the item grasping strategy to determine whether the strategy was successful.

A method performed by a robotic system, for identifying single objects from a random assortment of objects. The robotic system picks, among a random assortment of objects on a presentation surface, an object from the presentation surface at a determined picking point. The robotic system removes any remaining objects from the presentation surface. The robotic system places the picked object on the presentation surface. The robotic system further analyzes the picked object on the presentation surface, in order to identify a single object.

A workpiece transport apparatus for transporting a workpiece includes: a hand device; a moving device that includes a movable part mounted with the hand device and that includes at least one drive axis configured to operate the movable part; a current measurement section configured to measure a current value of a motor that drives the drive axis; and a workpiece number detection section configured to detect that a number of workpieces held by the hand device is different from an expected number based on a comparison result between the current value measured by the current measurement section when the hand device holds the workpiece, and a predetermined threshold value.

A method performed by a robotic system, for identifying single objects from a random assortment of objects. The robotic system picks, among a random assortment of objects on a presentation surface, an object from the presentation surface at a determined picking point. The robotic system removes any remaining objects from the presentation surface. The robotic system places the picked object on the presentation surface. The robotic system further analyzes the picked object on the presentation surface, in order to identify a single object.

Methods and systems for training a robotic manipulator. The system may include one or more sensor devices and a robotic manipulator for executing an item grasping strategy to grasp an item. The system may further evaluate the item grasping strategy to determine whether the strategy was successful.

Methods and systems for assessing a robotic grasping technique. The system in accordance with various embodiments may include a warehouse management system for retrieving and storing items, a robotic manipulator for grasping an item, and analysis module configured to receive data regarding a first grasp attempt by the robotic manipulator and analyze the received data to determine whether the robotic manipulator successfully grasped the item.

A controller includes a generation unit that generates three-dimensional information, a deletion unit that deletes information about at least part of the measurement points in the three-dimensional information, and a determination unit that determines a state where the robot grips a workpiece. The generation unit generates first three-dimensional information before the robot implements an operation of gripping a target workpiece. The generation unit generates second three-dimensional information after the robot has implemented an operation of lifting the target workpiece. The deletion unit generates third three-dimensional information in which information about measurement points in the second three-dimensional information is deleted from the first three-dimensional information. The determination unit determines whether or not the workpiece in the third three-dimensional information matches the target workpiece.

A bulk workpiece picking system is configured by including: a robot which is provided with an electromagnetic hand capable of magnetically attracting a metal workpiece; a determination section which determines whether or not the workpiece is magnetically attracted by the electromagnetic hand; and a magnetic force control section which controls the magnetic force of the electromagnetic hand, the magnetic force control section being configured such that: before it is determined by the determination section that the magnetic attraction is performed; the magnetic force control section sets a magnitude of the magnetic force of the electromagnetic hand so that the electromagnetic hand can suspend one workpiece and cannot suspend two workpieces; and then, after it is determined by the determination section that the magnetic attraction is performed, the magnetic force control section increases the magnetic force of the electromagnetic hand.