Design Engineering
Showcase 2022

Ocado Technology

Tags
Robotics
Software
Python
Simulation
Hardware
CAD
Testing
Analysis
Prototyping

Project Details

Student
James Skinner
Team
Advanced Technology
Role
Technology Intern
Sector
Retail
Links
E-Mail
Website
LinkedIn

Ocado Technology operates primarily in the robotics industry, building and licensing the Ocado Smart Platform: an end-to-end suite of ecommerce, fulfilment, and logistics solutions for online grocery businesses. Their main proposition is ‘The Grid’: a hive of 3D cells that store products, automatically sorted by bots. I worked in a hardware team contributing to On-Grid Robotic Pick - robot arms that will be mounted atop the grids and collaborate with the bots to pick and pack customer orders.

Industry 72 Skinner James Skinner

Role and Contributions

My role within On-Grid Robotic Pick was item validation: ensuring that the arms pick the correct products. I was tasked with implementing a barcode-scanning solution, undertaking three key stages: testing and analysis to recommend the best scanner for our requirements, comparing on-arm mounting positions to attain optimum performance, and integration of hardware and software to achieve a production-ready solution.

I applied my programming skills, coding in Python to develop the software drivers, and to operate bespoke simulation software which I used to model scanner performance. This involved implementing my understanding of 3D vectors and probability analysis to compare mounting positions. I also used SolidWorks to develop mounts for attaching the devices to the arm, and quickly iterated using 3D printers for prototyping.

My main contribution was achieving a minimum viable product, able to validate a set percentage of the product range. This was a result of selecting a fast-scanning device with a wide field of view, and optimising placement on-arm. Development will now continue to increase the range and guarantee the highest levels of order accuracy. Ensuring that customer orders are accurate yields greater customer satisfaction and in turn, increased consumer loyalty.

Output 72 Skinner James Skinner
Infographic 72 Skinner James Skinner