Robotic grasping of items in inventory system

US9873199B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC. · US

Inventors

• Parris S. Wellman · Reading, US
• Matthew David Verminski · Cambridge, US
• Andrew Stubbs · Somerville, US
• Robert Michael Shydo, Jr. · Pelham, US
• Ennio Claretti · Somerville, US
• Boris Aronchik · Watertown, US
• John Gregory Longtine · Sudbury, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 27, 2016
• Grant date: Jan 23, 2018
• Expiry date: Dec 27, 2036

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S901/47
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Robotic arms or manipulators can be utilized to grasp inventory items within an inventory system. Information can be obtained about constraints relative to relevant elements of a process of transferring the item from place to place. Examples of such elements may include a grasping location from which an item is to be grasped, a receiving location in which a grasped item is to be placed, or a space between the grasping location and the receiving location. The information about the constraints can be used to select from multiple possible grasping options, such as by eliminating options that conflict with the constraints or preferring options that outperform others given the constraints.