Random bin picking: has its time finally come?

Abstract

Purpose– This paper aims to provide details of recent developments in random bin picking (RBP) technologies and products, together with an insight into its commercial status and prospects. Design/methodology/approach– Following an introduction to RBP, this article discusses the technology, benefits and limitations of RBP. It then considers a number of products and applications and concludes with a brief discussion. Findings– This article shows that RBP offers significant economic and operational benefits, but it is a complex technology and applications remain limited. It is underpinned by advanced machine vision and sophisticated image processing algorithms and continues to be the topic of academic research. Many RBP products have been launched in the past but the latest generation of dedicated vision systems, software packages and fully integrated robotic systems suggest that more widespread applications are imminent. Originality/value– This paper provides a timely introduction to the rapidly developing field of RBP by discussing the technologies and a range of products and applications.