#头条首发大赛#
Quick guide
Self-checkout systems have grown in popularity in the United States since they were first introduced in 1986. MIT's CSAIL division recently launched RoboGrocery, which combines computer vision and soft robot grippers to efficiently bag a wide range of items. The system uses pressure sensors to distinguish between fragile and robust products, optimizing the packing process. In the demonstration, the researchers tested the system's functionality, including bagging grapes, bread, soup cans, and other items. While significant progress has been made, the team acknowledges that the gripper and imaging system need to be improved to be more efficient. In the future, this technology is expected to be extended to industrial settings, such as recycling plants.
The evolution of self-checkout systems
The beginnings of self-checkout systems date back to 1986, when the technology was first introduced at a Kroger grocery store near Atlanta. Over the years, this technology has gradually become more widespread across the United States. As grocery store automation solutions continue to evolve, integrating robotic bagging systems seems like the next logical way forward.
RoboGrocery innovation at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
MIT's CSAIL division recently launched RoboGrocery, a cutting-edge system that combines computer vision capabilities with soft robotic grippers to efficiently bag a wide range of items. In one demonstration, researchers placed ten unfamiliar items on a grocery conveyor belt to test the system's functionality. These items range from fragile items like grapes, bread, and kale to sturdy products like soup cans and ice cream boxes.
Future Prospects and Improvements
The integration of vision technology enables the system to identify items, assess their size, and determine where they are placed on the conveyor belt. The pressure sensor inside the robot's gripper makes it possible to distinguish between fragile items such as grapes and sturdy products such as soup cans, optimizing the packing process. While the current research has made significant progress in the robot's boxing capabilities, the team acknowledges the need for further improvements to the gripper and imaging system to improve the efficiency of case packing. With the implementation of these improvements, it becomes increasingly feasible to expand the potential of this technology from grocery settings to industrial environments like recycling plants.