Autonomous crop harvester
US12004451B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 3, 2019 |
| Grant date | Jun 11, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 30, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G2207/40
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Systems and methods capable of selecting and positively grasping objects of interest within a cluttered environment are described. Some aspects of the present disclosure provide for real-time control of a robot that uses various sensors and reacts to sensor input in real time to adjust the robots path. In some embodiments, a robotic item picker includes an end effector having a shaft extending along a longitudinal axis between a proximal end and a distal end, a carriage configured to rotate about and translate along an intermediate portion of the shaft between a proximal position and a distal position, a suction device coupled to the distal end of the shaft, and a plurality of fingers spaced radially about the carriage. The robot may be a t-bot including a longitudinal member rotatable about a lengthwise axis of the longitudinal member, a carriage translatable along the lengthwise axis, and a radial member slidably mounted to the carriage. The end effector may be rotatably coupled at a distal end of the radial member.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.