In the field of automated product flow management, one of the most critical steps is often also the least visible: singulation.
Separating and making manageable items that arrive in a disordered, overlapping or non-uniform way is a stage that introduces complexity and limits the effectiveness of the entire process.
In the fashion and e-commerce sectors, this issue is even more evident. Products are not rigid or standardised: they are flexible, deformable, often bagged and, in many cases, not in perfect condition.
It is precisely from this real-world condition that Cobosort was developed: a patented modular robotic station designed to directly address variability, without turning it into a constraint.
Where the problem is most evident
In garment handling and sorting systems, the initial stage of the process is the one most exposed to unpredictability.
Items often arrive:
- loose, overlapping or tangled
- inside deformed or damaged bags
- with non-uniform shapes and consistencies
This variability makes it difficult to use traditional solutions, which are generally designed for more controlled and repeatable conditions.
As a result, singulation becomes an operational bottleneck: a point where the flow slows down, the risk of error increases or continuous corrective actions are required.
Real-world challenges
Traditional technologies address this stage with approaches that, in practice, show clear limitations.
Among the most frequent issues are:
- difficulty in gripping non-uniform objects
- the need for frequent reconfiguration
- risk of jams and unreliable gripping
Standard systems struggle to adapt to soft materials, irregular surfaces or deformed objects. Any variation in product type or operating condition may require adjustments, slowing down the process and increasing management complexity.
These limitations, often considered inevitable, have a direct impact on operational continuity, productivity and ease of use.
The Cobosort patent: designed to manage variability
Cobosort is based on a different approach: not reducing variability, but making it manageable.
The solution is a modular robotic station designed for automated singulation, capable of handling heterogeneous items without requiring dedicated configurations or continuous adjustments.
The system was developed starting from a concrete question: how can gripping be made reliable when handling objects that, by their very nature, are not?
The core element of the patent is the gripping technology, designed to adapt to the object instead of forcing it into an ideal condition.
The solution is based on three main elements:
- an adaptive geometry, which allows the gripping elements to automatically adjust according to the object
- a spiral trajectory, which enables progressive and controlled movement during gripping
- a control and sensory feedback system, used to verify grip stability and manage release in a controlled way
This combination makes it possible to effectively handle non-ideal conditions, such as soft fabrics, deformable garments or damaged bags.
A structure designed for simplicity
In addition to its gripping technology, Cobosort stands out for a design approach focused on simplicity.
The station is compact, modular and easy to integrate into existing processes. It does not require complex reconfigurations and can adapt to variable flows without structural changes to the system.
The goal is not to add technological complexity, but to reduce the elements that make day-to-day process management more difficult.
Typical applications
E-commerce logistics – handling loose garments
When managing garments for e-commerce, the main challenges involve overlapping items, high flow variability and difficulty in ensuring reliable gripping.
Cobosort addresses these issues through:
- adaptive gripping that automatically adjusts to the object
- the absence of frequent reconfigurations
- greater operational continuity even under variable conditions
Sorting bagged garments
In the case of items packed in deformed or damaged bags, unstable surfaces increase the risk of error and flow interruption.
In this context, Cobosort uses:
- a spiral trajectory that stabilises the grip
- sensory control systems for verification and release
- a reduction in operational interruptions
An approach designed to simplify
Cobosort was not developed to add complexity, but to manage it.
Addressing variability without eliminating it means building systems that are more flexible, but also easier to use and integrate into existing processes.
It is precisely in this balance between adaptability, operational continuity and design simplicity that the real value of the solution is built.