Robotics / Edge AI / 2026

Autonomous Pantry Robot

Developing a pantry-organizing robot concept in Onshape. I started with the end effector, then plan to build the arm, perception, and local-compute layout around it.

Onshape end-effector CAD for a pantry robot concept built around shelf-scale manipulation.

Role
Mechanical concept, CAD, system architecture
Status
In progress
Tools
OnshapeComputer visionCoral NPUEnd effectorGripper assemblyShelf constraintsLocal inference
Links
Validation sheetShort pre-test plan for grip clearance, stiffness, mounting, and integration checks.
Onshape CAD screenshot of the pantry robot end effector assembly
Current Onshape end-effector CAD for the pantry robot. I am using this hand assembly as the first subsystem before designing the full arm and base around it.

Problem

Design a compact robot concept for recognizing pantry items, reaching into shelf spaces, and moving objects with local perception.

Current work

  • Started the CAD work with the end effector, using the hand assembly as the first piece of the manipulation system.
  • Defined the near-term mechanical questions: shelf clearance, grip stability, wrist stiffness, cable routing, and how the end effector will mount to a larger arm.
  • Mapped the next pieces of the robot around local computer vision, edge inference, arm packaging, and a compact base.

Engineering decisions

  • Treat the current CAD as an end-effector development step, then grow the robot from a subsystem that already has geometry.
  • Use the gripper geometry as a reference while I work through shelf clearance, mounting, validation, and system packaging.
  • Plan the local-AI direction around Google Coral NPU-class edge hardware and compact Gemma models.
  • Keep the AI hardware and mechanical packaging as separate design questions until both are easier to test.

Current state

  • The project currently centers on the end-effector CAD assembly and the pantry-specific constraints around it.
  • The next design step is building the arm and base around this hand geometry.