Boston Dynamics Inc Palletizing boxes Patent (US11738456B2)
US11738456B2 · Boston Dynamics Inc
- Patent number
- US11738456B2
- Applicant
- Boston Dynamics Inc
- Filing date
- 2022-07-15
- CPC class
- B25J9/1687
- Pillar
- Muscle
This patent discloses methods and systems for a robot to palletize boxes by precisely positioning, tilting, shifting, and releasing boxes onto a target location on a pallet, using sensor data for compensation and alignment to ensure stable stacking.
Claims
A method comprising: receiving a target box location; positioning the box at an initial position adjacent to the target; tilting the box at an angle; shifting the box in a first direction to a first alignment position; shifting in a second direction to the target location; and releasing the box to pivot toward a boundary edge. Additional claims cover sensor-based compensation, vision systems, and robotic implementations with mobile bases and grippers.
Technical analysis
The invention improves robotic palletizing by addressing alignment errors through a multi-step manipulation sequence involving tilting and dual-direction shifts, combined with vision-based compensation for real-world positioning inaccuracies. It integrates with mobile manipulators for warehouse logistics, enhancing precision in dynamic environments.
Commercial impact
Enables more reliable and efficient automated palletizing in logistics and warehousing, reducing manual labor and errors in high-volume shipping operations for companies like Boston Dynamics' clients in e-commerce and supply chain automation.
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