A control method of controlling a plurality of moving objects that convey a plurality of cargos includes, by a computer, acquiring a residual battery capacity of the plurality of moving objects, determining a target residual battery capacity of the plurality of moving objects in a next unit of time, allocating a conveyance unit to each of the moving objects based on a residual battery capacity and a target residual battery capacity of each of the moving objects and a weight of each of the cargos, and transmitting, to each of the moving objects, control information instructing a conveyance work of the conveyance unit allocated to each of the moving objects.

A container terminal operation method for a container terminal including a storage area in which a storage block is vertically arranged, wherein: a container conveying vehicle orbits through the storage block, apron, etc.; a container is handed over between the container conveying vehicle and the storage block on a lateral side thereof in a longitudinal direction; a handover area for handover of the container between the container conveying vehicle and an external vehicle, is defined in an area closer to a land than a land-side end; an external traveling lane is defined for the external vehicle; and the handover of the container in the handover area is carried out in a state where the container conveying vehicle and the external vehicle are both directed in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the storage block.

A system is configured to move a group of containers including at least five containers simultaneously between a vehicle and a platform. The system includes a container support frame configured to support the group of containers, at least one hoist, and a conveyor. The at least one hoist is configured to raise and lower the container support frame and the containers when the containers are secured to the container support frame. The conveyor is configured to move the container support frame and the containers between the vehicle and the platform.

The present disclosure relates to a position detection apparatus and a position detection method of a distribution object, a robot, a distribution apparatus, and a controller, and relates to the field of robots. The apparatus includes: a plurality of ranging sensors arranged on an end surface of a protrusion member of a robot facing a placement region of the distribution object, wherein the protrusion member is located on a chassis of the robot and each of the plurality of ranging sensors is configured to detect a distance between the ranging sensor and an end surface of the distribution object facing the plurality of ranging sensors; and a controller configured to determine that the distribution object has been located at a predetermined position above the chassis in a case where the distance detected by each of the plurality of ranging sensors is not greater than a first distance threshold.

The present disclosure relates to a position detection apparatus and a position detection method of a distribution object, a robot, a distribution apparatus, and a controller, and relates to the field of robots. The apparatus includes: a plurality of ranging sensors arranged on an end surface of a protrusion member of a robot facing a placement region of the distribution object, wherein the protrusion member is located on a chassis of the robot and each of the plurality of ranging sensors is configured to detect a distance between the ranging sensor and an end surface of the distribution object facing the plurality of ranging sensors; and a controller configured to determine that the distribution object has been located at a predetermined position above the chassis in a case where the distance detected by each of the plurality of ranging sensors is not greater than a first distance threshold.

The problem of potentially damaging a pallet layer that is gripped by clamps of a depalletizing tool is solved i) by detecting the real position of the layer using a pad on the tool that is movable with the clamps towards the pallet layer and whose detected stopping position determines the real position of the layer, and ii) while the layer is gripped by the clamp, by inserting under the layer curtains; the pressure on the layer by the clamps being adapted to the ease to go underneath the layer.

The offshore jack-up has a hull and a plurality of moveable legs engageable with the seafloor. The offshore jack-up is arranged to move the legs with respect to the hull to position the hull out of the water. The method comprises moving at least a portion of a vessel underneath the hull of the offshore jack-up or within a cut-out of the hull when the hull is positioned out of the water and the legs engage the seafloor. A stabilizing mechanism mounted on the jack-up is engaged against the vessel. The stabilizing mechanism is pushed down on the vessel to increase the buoyant force acting on the vessel.

A cargo handling work generation device includes: an inventory information database; a shipping product information database; a master information database; a status judging unit configured to judge whether cargo handling work of product organization be assigned to a cargo handling facility provided in a product storage space, based on operation information on a cargo handling facility; a product organization work determination unit configured to, when the status judging unit judges to assign the cargo handling work of product organization to the cargo handling facility, determine a content of the cargo handling work of product organization to be executed, using the information stored in the inventory information database, the shipping product information database, and the master information database; and an output unit configured to output instruction information for instructing a control system of the cargo handling facility to execute the determined cargo handling work of product organization.

A system (100) for handling and storage of containers (200), system (100) comprising a structure (102) having storage cells (104) therein. Cells (104) are configured to store a container (200). Cells (104) are arranged in a rectangular prismatic array comprising a plurality of arrays (A.sub.1, A.sub.2 . . . A.sub.16). Each array comprises columns (C.sub.1, C.sub.2 . . . C.sub.15) and rows (R.sub.1, R.sub.2 . . . R.sub.18). Arrays (A.sub.1, A.sub.2 . . . A.sub.16) are arranged in pairs on opposite sides of void areas (V.sub.1, V.sub.2 . . . V.sub.8), each of which extends vertically and horizontally through the structure (102). Each cell has a container access opening (106) communicating with its associated void area (V.sub.1, V.sub.2 . . . V.sub.8). Container cranes (108) are provided for each void area (V.sub.1, V.sub.2 . . . V.sub.8). Container engagement assemblies (108c) are releasably engaged with respective opposite longitudinal ends of carrier (108a) of cranes (108). Upon movement into a cell (104), assemblies (108c) engage and are vertically supported by horizontal members (102c) at the top of the cell.

According to some embodiments, a railcar comprises a first well component supported by a first railcar truck and a second railcar truck. The first well component is disposed between the first railcar truck and the second railcar truck. The length of the first well component is restricted to transport an intermodal shipping container no longer than twenty feet in length. In particular embodiments, the first well component is configured to transport a double stack of twenty-foot intermodal shipping containers. Each twenty-foot shipping container of the double stack may be loaded to maximum weight of 67,000 pounds. Particular embodiments include an articulated railcar with two or more twenty-foot well components.