{
  "patent_number": "US 20190084152",
  "country": "US",
  "title": "Robots That Grab Objects Without Knowing Their Exact Spot",
  "original_title": "Robotic gripping device system and method",
  "summary": "Ocado's patent describes a robotic gripping system that can precisely manipulate objects of varying sizes and positions, even when the robot doesn't know the object's exact starting location.",
  "what_it_does": "This patent describes a robotic device, system, and method for manipulating objects. The core idea is a \"motorised linkage\" (like a robot arm or gripper finger) that can be precisely positioned by a controller, even when the \"precise location of the object with reference to the device is unknown\" (Claim 1). This means the robot doesn't need to know exactly where an item is before trying to grab it. For example, if a robot needs to pick up a box from a shelf, it doesn't need a perfect 3D scan of the box's exact coordinates. Instead, the device can use \"force and/or torque controllable\" joints (Claim 2) to adapt its grip once it makes contact, ensuring the grip is stable regardless of the initial contact point. This allows the robot to handle \"plural inventory items located in a warehouse\" (Claim 6) that might be slightly out of place or have different shapes.",
  "what_it_does_not_cover": [
    "Gripping devices that require a precise, pre-known location of the object before manipulation.",
    "Robots that rely solely on vision systems to precisely locate objects before attempting to grip them.",
    "Gripping systems where the relationship of the linkage to the object *is* dependent on the initial contact position.",
    "Methods of manipulating objects without using a motorized linkage.",
    "Systems that do not include a software utility for controlling device movement."
  ],
  "filed": "2017-02-01",
  "granted": null,
  "expires": "2037-02-01",
  "status": "active",
  "holder": "Ocado Innovation",
  "holder_url": "https://patentbrief.org/company/ocado-innovation",
  "inventors": [
    {
      "name": "Graham Deacon",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/graham-deacon"
    }
  ],
  "times_cited": 10,
  "tags": [
    "robotics",
    "warehousing",
    "automation",
    "logistics",
    "software"
  ],
  "abstract": "A robotic gripping device, system and method are disclosed. The robotic device includes an end effector having at least one finger, the fingers being configured for manipulating objects in the vicinity of the device under computer control. The device is configured for manipulating objects of varying sizes, dimensions and positions with reference to the device, without requiring information as to the precise location of the object with reference to the device.",
  "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/20190084152/robotic-gripping-device-system-and-method",
  "markdown_url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/20190084152/robotic-gripping-device-system-and-method/md",
  "google_patents_url": "https://patents.google.com/patent/US20190084152",
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}