Bagging With Robotic Arm
Systems and methods are disclosed for automatically or semi-automatically depositing retail items into a bag using a robotic arm. Embodiments of the present disclosure comprise a camera, an image processor, and a robotic arm control module to analyze and attempt to identify an item. Human intervention may be utilized to assist in item identification and/or robotic arm control. A human operator may visually identify the item and/or remotely control the robotic arm from a remote control station.
1 . A method of bagging retail items comprising:
identifying a retail product at a retail checkout workstation;
transmitting a first signal that directs a robotic arm to pick up the retail product; and
transmitting a second signal that directs the robotic arm to deposit the retail product into a container.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the container comprises a grocery bag.
3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising capturing an image depicting the retail product.
4 . The method of claim 3 , further comprising transmitting the image to a remote control station.
5 . The method of claim 4 , further comprising receiving computer-readable instructions from the remote control station, wherein the computer-readable instructions direct a movement of the robotic arm.
6 . The method of claim 4 , further comprising receiving identification data from the remote control station.
7 . The method of claim 3 , wherein image is a stereoscopic image.
8 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising a remote control workstation comprising:
a display and
a controller input for controlling the robotic arm.
9 . An apparatus for bagging items comprising:
a robotic arm at a retail checkout station;
at least one camera adapted to capture an image depicting a retail item; and
an image processing module adapted to analyze the image and transmit an image analysis result to a control module;
wherein the control module is adapted to transmit instructions to the robotic arm to pick up the retail item and deposit the retail item in a container.
10 . The apparatus of claim 9 , further comprising a remote control station whereat a human operator may input instructions for the robotic arm, wherein the remote control station is adapted to transmit instructions to the control module.
11 . The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the container comprises a grocery bag.
12 . The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein image is a stereoscopic image.