A knowledge base and inference tool for handling non-rigid materials

A knowledge-based approach to the configuration of automating handling systems for nonrigid materials is presented. The approach consists of a declarative knowledge representation for handling and sensing strategies employed in the automated handling of nonrigid materials. A knowledge based system (KB) that utilises this formalism is also presented. The KB aims in assisting system engineers to provide acceptable configurations of automating handling systems. Based on task specification and material properties, the KB provides a handling solution that consists of sensing and handling strategies, resources and their necessary configuration to perform the handling task.