Robotic product labeling system

A method of labeling an item selected from a container and a pallet bearing a container comprising:

• receiving, from a server, label information;
• printing an adhesive label with the label information and removing a backing from the adhesive label;
• receiving the adhesive label on a suction pad or vacuum device attached to a movable end of a robot arm having a plurality of rotatable joints, each with a torque sensor;
• measuring a height of the item;
• determining a first labeling position for the item, the first labeling position determined from the measured height of the item;
• positioning the robot arm with the suction pad or vacuum device at the first labeling position;
• contacting the item with the adhesive label attached to the robot arm at the first labeling position, sensing pressure via the torque sensor on the robot arm when the robot arm meets resistance upon contacting the item, then releasing the adhesive label from the suction pad or vacuum device;
• retreating the suction pad or vacuum device from the first labeling position;
• and
• reading the adhesive label with sensors on the movable end of the robot arm.

A label printing station comprising:

• a printer adapted to attach labels to an item;
• a robot arm having a plurality of rotators comprising a torque sensor, and terminating in a vacuum device or suction pad and sensors at a movable end,
• at least one sensor configured to measure a height of the item;
• and
• a processor coupled to the printer to, to the sensor to receive the height of the item, to the robot arm to control the robot arm, and to from a server;
• wherein the processor has a memory containing code;
• and
• wherein the code configured to position the robot arm with the suction pad or vacuum device at a first labeling position further comprises code configured to verify that the first labeling position is not at an item edge.