Abstract
A robotic kitchen assistant for preparing food includes a robotic arm, a camera assembly, a retro-reflective marker, and a computer programmed and operable to identify and locate the marker and object on which it is arranged based on image data arising from the camera assembly. A utensil adapter assembly can include a marker mount, and a 3D target for the robotic arm to grip. The robotic arm can be actuated to move to and capture the 3D target of the utensil adapter assembly. Related methods are also described.