In this paper we present the architecture of a mobile robotized system for logistic applications. The task to be performed consists of extracting items from homogeneous pallets and, subsequently, assembling new pallets with heterogeneous goods. A further requirement is the capability of a safe humanrobot interaction. For such purposes, we employ an autonomous mobile robot, equipped with a serial collaborative arm, a lifting mechanism, and a multi-sensor vision apparatus. The overall system is conceived to handle packages by dragging them aboard the mobile platform. Accordingly, we integrate a conveyor, whose vertical position can be adjusted by means of a scissor lifting mechanism. Thus, packages from different overlapping layers, which compose a generic pallet, can be introduced and stored on board.

This paper presents a mobile manipulation platform designed for autonomous depalletizing tasks. The proposed solution integrates machine vision, control and mechanical components to increase flexibility and ease of deployment in industrial environments such as warehouses. A collaborative robot mounted on a mobile base is proposed, equipped with a simple manipulation tool and a 3D in-hand vision system that detects parcel boxes on a pallet, and that pulls them one by one on the mobile base for transportation. The robot setup allows to avoid the cumbersome implementation of pick-and-place operations, since it does not require lifting the boxes. The 3D vision system is used to provide an initial estimation of the pose of the boxes on the top layer of the pallet, and to accurately detect the separation between the boxes for manipulation. Force measurement provided by the robot together with admittance control are exploited to verify the correct execution of the manipulation task. The proposed system was implemented and tested in a simplified laboratory scenario and the results of experimental trials are reported.