simPLE: a visuotactile method learned in simulation to precisely pick,
  localize, regrasp, and place objects
Maria Bauza Antonia Bronars Yifan Hou Ian Taylor Nikhil Chavan-Dafle Alberto Rodriguez
Existing robotic systems have a clear tension between generality and
precision. Deployed solutions for robotic manipulation tend to fall into the
paradigm of one robot solving a single task, lacking precise generalization,
i.e., the ability to solve many tasks without compromising on precision. This
paper explores solutions for precise and general pick-and-place. In precise
pick-and-place, i.e. kitting, the robot transforms an unstructured arrangement
of objects into an organized arrangement, which can facilitate further
manipulation. We propose simPLE (simulation to Pick Localize and PLacE) as a
solution to precise pick-and-place. simPLE learns to pick, regrasp and place
objects precisely, given only the object CAD model and no prior experience. We
develop three main components: task-aware grasping, visuotactile perception,
and regrasp planning. Task-aware grasping computes affordances of grasps that
are stable, observable, and favorable to placing. The visuotactile perception
model relies on matching real observations against a set of simulated ones
through supervised learning. Finally, we compute the desired robot motion by
solving a shortest path problem on a graph of hand-to-hand regrasps. On a
dual-arm robot equipped with visuotactile sensing, we demonstrate
pick-and-place of 15 diverse objects with simPLE. The objects span a wide range
of shapes and simPLE achieves successful placements into structured
arrangements with 1mm clearance over 90% of the time for 6 objects, and over
80% of the time for 11 objects. Videos are available at
http://mcube.mit.edu/research/simPLE.html .