The present invention relates to a system (1) for arranging items in containers comprising a plurality of processing stations (11) for filling removable containers, wherein each of the processing station (11) is able to house a single of the removable containers and comprises a movable tray (211), able to support a respective of the removable containers, moving means of the movable tray (211) with respect to the processing station (11) and a conveyor (111), provided with an entry portion (111′) and with an exit portion (111″) of the items, wherein the conveyor (111) is arranged at a distance from the movable tray (211) such that the exit portion (111″) remains above the opening of a respective of the removable containers, wherein the moving means are able to operate a shaking of the movable tray (211) at least along opposite directions of a predefined axis of shaking to arrange the items in the removable container in a homogeneous way.

A system and method for operating a robotic system to place objects into containers that have support walls is disclosed. The robotic system may detect an unexpected condition associated with a container during or before a real-time operation. Accordingly, the robotic system may dynamically adjust an existing packing plan based on detecting the unexpected condition.

Systems and methods are disclosed for wireless powering and control of conveyors on shuttles. An example system may include a track, and a shuttle configured to move along the track, the shuttle having a conveyor, and a first induction coil. The system may include a second induction coil disposed at a first location along the track, where the second induction coil is configured to interact with the first induction coil to power the conveyor. The shuttle may not have an onboard power source coupled to the conveyor.

Systems and methods are disclosed for wireless powering and control of conveyors on shuttles. An example system may include a track, and a shuttle configured to move along the track, the shuttle having a conveyor, and a first induction coil. The system may include a second induction coil disposed at a first location along the track, where the second induction coil is configured to interact with the first induction coil to power the conveyor. The shuttle may not have an onboard power source coupled to the conveyor.

A method of operating a bin storage system including a plurality of storage columns for the storage of a plurality of vertically-stacked storage bins, and a plurality of robot vehicles for transporting storage bins, the method includes: positioning a cavity of one of the plurality of robot vehicles such that it is aligned with one of the storage columns, receiving a storage bin from the storage column into the cavity, and moving the robot vehicle along the bin storage system, using a plurality of rolling members attached to the vehicle body about the cavity that are arranged for travelling in a first direction and a perpendicular second direction along the bin storage system.

A retrieval controller is disclosed for identifying an item to be retrieved from a flat storage surface by a robot for identifying one item, amongst items stored on a common surface that can be retrieved by a robot equipped with a lateral-motion gripper. The retrieval controller includes: a depth map computing unit configured to establish a global coordinate system, and establish an orthonormal set of basis vectors u, v and w defined in the global coordinate system, where w is approximately orthogonal to the surface that the items are stored on; a vector determination unit; an item selection unit; and a robot instructing unit configured to instruct the robot to retrieve the item based on uv coordinates of one or more w-aligned edges having associated quadrilateral-based, right prisms which do not have interiors that intersect any right, enclosing prisms selected by the item selection unit.

A picking system is realized that can efficiently perform operations from collection to delivery of articles in a limited space. A picking system (1) includes: a multi-row sorting device (2) configured to sort the article into one of the plurality of rows of exits (21) and discharge the sorted article; a container supporting device (3) capable of supporting an accommodating container (B) on a plurality of rows of container supporting portions (32) until an article group that is a set of articles for the order is collected; and a transport device (4) configured to unload the accommodating container (B) in which the article is accommodated from the container supporting portion (32), and load an empty accommodating container (B) to the container supporting portion (32).

A contact lens retrieving method is applied to a contact lens, which is placed in a detection container containing a buffer solution and has been inspected in an optical detection. The method comprises steps: moving a vacuum sucker into the buffer solution at a first speed to make the contact lens depart from the lateral side of the detection container; moving the vacuum sucker away from a bottom of the detection container at a second speed with the vacuum sucker not leaving the buffer solution to make the contact lens flow toward a center of the detection container; moving the vacuum sucker to approach the contact lens at a third speed to make the vacuum sucker and the contact lens positioned to each other; and using the vacuum sucker to take up the contact lens and carry the contact lens out of the detection container.

A method and apparatus are provided for sorting or retrieving items to/from a plurality of destinations areas. The items are loaded onto one of a plurality of independently controlled delivery vehicles. The delivery vehicles follow a path to/from the destination areas that are positioned along the path. Along the path, the vehicles are scanned to determine if any item on the vehicles extends beyond a dimensional constraint. If it is determined that an item on a vehicle extends above the pre-determined threshold, the vehicle is controlled, such as by stopping or re-directing the vehicle. Once at the appropriate destination area, an item is transferred between the delivery vehicle and the destination area.

A method and apparatus are provided for sorting or retrieving items to/from a plurality of destinations areas. The items are loaded onto one of a plurality of independently controlled delivery vehicles. The delivery vehicles follow a path to/from the destination areas that are positioned along the path. Along the path, the vehicles are scanned to determine if any item on the vehicles extends beyond a dimensional constraint. If it is determined that an item on a vehicle extends above the pre-determined threshold, the vehicle is controlled, such as by stopping or re-directing the vehicle. Once at the appropriate destination area, an item is transferred between the delivery vehicle and the destination area.