The researchers believe this is a significant step towards having robots pack groceries in real-world settings. However, they also acknowledge that there is room for improvement, particularly in upgrading the grasper and the imaging system to better determine the packing order. As the system becomes more robust, it could potentially be scaled outside the grocery industry into more industrial spaces like recycling plants.
Key takeaways:
- The first self-checkout system was installed in 1986 and now MIT's CSAIL department is showcasing a robotic bagging system called RoboGrocery.
- RoboGrocery uses computer vision and a soft robotic gripper to bag a variety of items, from delicate to solid ones, and determines their placement in the bag based on their delicacy and structure.
- While the system is not yet ready for commercial deployment, it represents a significant step towards having robots pack groceries and other items in real-world settings.
- The team acknowledges that there is still room for improvement, including upgrades to the grasper and the imaging system, and potential scaling outside the grocery into more industrial spaces like recycling plants.