Automated Shipboard Build-up of Customized Pallet Loads

This project is expected to make very lightweight, portable, and compact gantry robots able to build arrays of diverse items (or SKUs). Such arrays are commonly needed for palletizing, truck loading, and container loading in both industry and in the military. The process is currently often very manual as cost effective solutions often are not available. The specific technologies needed to go from manual to highly automated are: 1. Building light, compact, cost-effective but capable motion systems. This is the primary intellectual property of the proposing company. 2. Measurement of locations of payloads relative to pickup and deposition points. This is a topic of sensing emphasized in this proposal using evolving but existing technologies which have in the last few years become cheaper and more capable. 3. Methods of lifting, controlling, and depositing accurately diverse items. This is considered the main impediment to current applications and emphasized in the proposal Resolutions of these items are the primary technical issues in the Phase 1 proposal.