System and method for automating transfer of luggage within an airport

A system comprising:

• a platform configured to:
• navigate between a luggage carousel and a set of luggage carts, located adjacent the luggage carousel within an airport luggage bay, at an airport;
• and
• navigate between an aircraft conveyor, configured to convey luggage units into an aircraft, and the set of luggage carts located adjacent the aircraft conveyor on a tarmac at the airport;
• a robotic arm arranged on the platform and configured to:
• transfer luggage units from the luggage carousel to the set of luggage carts located within the airport luggage bay;
• and
• transfer luggage units from the set of luggage carts, located on the tarmac, to the aircraft conveyor;
• and
• a controller configured to:
• detect a first set of luggage characteristics and a first orientation of a luggage unit located on the luggage carousel;
• derive a first target engagement specification for retrieving the luggage unit from the luggage carousel based on the first set of luggage characteristics and the first orientation of the luggage unit;
• trigger the platform to locate the robotic arm proximal the luggage unit on the luggage carousel;
• trigger the robotic arm to withdraw the luggage unit from the luggage carousel according to the first target engagement specification;
• and
• trigger the robotic arm to locate the luggage unit in a target storage pose within a luggage cart located within the airport luggage bay.

A method comprising:

• accessing an image captured by an optical sensor defining a field of view intersecting a luggage carousel located within an airport luggage bay, the image depicting luggage units located on the luggage carousel;
• detecting a luggage unit in the image;
• extracting a set of luggage characteristics of the luggage unit, selected for retrieval from the luggage carousel, based on the image;
• deriving a target engagement specification for retrieval of the luggage unit from the luggage carousel via a robotic system based on the set of luggage characteristics;
• autonomously navigating a platform of the robotic system to collocate a robotic arm, arranged on the platform, with the luggage unit;
• maneuvering the robotic arm to locate an end effector, arranged on a distal end of the robotic arm, in a target engagement pose defined in the target engagement specification;
• triggering the end effector to engage the luggage unit according to the target engagement specification;
• retracting the robotic arm from the luggage carousel to withdraw the luggage unit from the luggage carousel;
• maneuvering the robotic arm to locate the luggage unit in a target storage pose within a luggage cart located within the airport luggage bay;
• and
• triggering the end effector to release the luggage unit in the luggage cart.