An article transport apparatus includes a traveling portion configured to travel along a rail portion and a mounting portion configured to have a structure suspended under a traveling portion to mount articles thereon, in particular, the rail portion includes a plurality of first straight rails extending in a first direction while being arranged parallel to each other at first intervals, a plurality of second straight rails extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction while being arranged parallel to each other at second intervals, and a connecting rail configured to connect between the first straight rails and the second straight rails, which perpendicularly face each other, so that the traveling portion travels between the first straight rails and the second straight rails perpendicularly facing each other.

This system utilizes autonomous rail cars that automatically couple and uncouple to and from a primary moving train. The primary train travels along a given route but never needs to stop at intermediate stations. Instead, autonomous rail cars gather passengers or goods at designated station locations and then automatically depart in order to meet up with the primary train. When the autonomous rail cars couple to the primary train, the contents of the autonomous rail car are transferred to the primary train. Likewise, contents that are already aboard the primary train which need to depart will be loaded onto this autonomous rail car. When the primary train approaches the next station, the autonomous rail car will detach and stop at the station while the primary train continues to travel on. This process repeats for each station on the route.

This system utilizes autonomous rail cars that automatically couple and uncouple to and from a primary moving train. The primary train travels along a given route but never needs to stop at intermediate stations. Instead, autonomous rail cars gather passengers or goods at designated station locations and then automatically depart in order to meet up with the primary train. When the autonomous rail cars couple to the primary train, the contents of the autonomous rail car are transferred to the primary train. Likewise, contents that are already aboard the primary train which need to depart will be loaded onto this autonomous rail car. When the primary train approaches the next station, the autonomous rail car will detach and stop at the station while the primary train continues to travel on. This process repeats for each station on the route.

A conveyance system that prevents conveyance carriages from mistakenly entering an area includes a rail extending across a plurality of areas, a FOUP conveyance vehicle that travels along the rail, a conveyance vehicle that has a width and a height at least one of which differs from that of the FOUP conveyance vehicle, an optical sensor that is provided to the FOUP conveyance vehicle, arranged at a position that does not overlap the conveyance vehicle in a traveling direction, and detects an obstacle in front, and a member to be detected that is arranged, in an entry section into a certain area where only the conveyance vehicle is allowed to enter, at a position where the conveyance vehicle is allowed to enter the certain area, the position being detectable by the optical sensor provided to the FOUP conveyance vehicle.

A conveyance system that prevents conveyance carriages from mistakenly entering an area includes a rail extending across a plurality of areas, a FOUP conveyance vehicle that travels along the rail, a conveyance vehicle that has a width and a height at least one of which differs from that of the FOUP conveyance vehicle, an optical sensor that is provided to the FOUP conveyance vehicle, arranged at a position that does not overlap the conveyance vehicle in a traveling direction, and detects an obstacle in front, and a member to be detected that is arranged, in an entry section into a certain area where only the conveyance vehicle is allowed to enter, at a position where the conveyance vehicle is allowed to enter the certain area, the position being detectable by the optical sensor provided to the FOUP conveyance vehicle.

An object processing system is disclosed that includes a plurality of track sections, and a plurality of remotely actuatable carriers for controlled movement along at least portions of the plurality of track sections, wherein each of the remotely controllable carriers is adapted to support and transport an object processing bin.

A cargo handling system is disclosed. In various embodiments, the cargo handling system includes a first rail defining an upward facing surface and a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction; a platform having a first recessed channel configured to engage an upper portion of the first rail to prevent a movement of the platform in the lateral direction and configured for rolling engagement with the first rail; and a first drive assembly disposed within the platform and configured to propel the platform along the first rail in the longitudinal direction, the first drive assembly having a first drive roller and a first motor.

A cargo handling system is disclosed. In various embodiments, the cargo handling system includes a first rail defining an upward facing surface and a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction; a platform having a first recessed channel configured to engage an upper portion of the first rail to prevent a movement of the platform in the lateral direction and configured for rolling engagement with the first rail; and a first drive assembly disposed within the platform and configured to propel the platform along the first rail in the longitudinal direction, the first drive assembly having a first drive roller and a first motor.

A vehicle tilting device for tilting a delivery vehicle for increasing access to items from a storage container transported on the delivery vehicle. The vehicle tilting device comprises a base structure and a tiltable platform connected to the base structure, wherein the tiltable platform comprises guiding features adapted to guide the delivery vehicle onto the tiltable platform. The tiltable platform is arranged to be connected to a delivery grid cell of a delivery rail system such that that there is a path to and/or from the tiltable platform for the delivery vehicle via the delivery grid cell. The invention is also related to an access station, a delivery system and a method of accessing a storage container.

A vehicle tilting device for tilting a delivery vehicle for increasing access to items from a storage container transported on the delivery vehicle. The vehicle tilting device comprises a base structure and a tiltable platform connected to the base structure, wherein the tiltable platform comprises guiding features adapted to guide the delivery vehicle onto the tiltable platform. The tiltable platform is arranged to be connected to a delivery grid cell of a delivery rail system such that that there is a path to and/or from the tiltable platform for the delivery vehicle via the delivery grid cell. The invention is also related to an access station, a delivery system and a method of accessing a storage container.