The exemplary embodiments of the invention relate to methods for operating a transport system, which have a large number of transport mechanism and means. The invention further relates to a corresponding transport system.

Systems, methods, non-transitory processor-readable storage media, and devices of the various embodiments enable a vehicle vending machine to retrieve a vehicle from a storage location and deliver the vehicle to a delivery bay for delivery to a customer. Various embodiments may include a vehicle vending machine including a tower, a robotic carrier, a corridor extending from the tower, a plurality of delivery bays positioned along the corridor, a customer interaction kiosk, and a video system.

Provided are a distributed robot-based object movement system and an object movement method using the same. The distributed robot-based object movement system includes a first robot that moves to a reference location where a target object is located, and acquires path information for moving the target object from the reference location to a predetermined destination location, and a second robot that moves to the reference location, provides a driving force for lifting the target object, and drives according to the path information while lifting the target object.

Provided are a distributed robot-based object movement system and an object movement method using the same. The distributed robot-based object movement system includes a first robot that moves to a reference location where a target object is located, and acquires path information for moving the target object from the reference location to a predetermined destination location, and a second robot that moves to the reference location, provides a driving force for lifting the target object, and drives according to the path information while lifting the target object.

A carrier body of a lift carrier includes: a pair of wheel support mechanisms that supports a first wheel of a vehicle to be transported; a frame-shaped structure connected to the wheel support mechanisms; and one or more lifting units that lift or lower the pair of wheel support mechanisms. The frame-shaped structure includes a frame portion and an upper plate and is open on a lower side of the carrier body. Each of the lifting units includes a wheel support and an air spring. The air spring is interposed between the wheel support and an upper plate. As the air spring expands, the wheel support is rotated about one end of the wheel support rotatably supported by the frame portion, and is deployed out of the frame-shaped structure.

A carrier body of a lift carrier includes: a pair of wheel support mechanisms that supports a first wheel of a vehicle to be transported; a frame-shaped structure connected to the wheel support mechanisms; and one or more lifting units that lift or lower the pair of wheel support mechanisms. The frame-shaped structure includes a frame portion and an upper plate and is open on a lower side of the carrier body. Each of the lifting units includes a wheel support and an air spring. The air spring is interposed between the wheel support and an upper plate. As the air spring expands, the wheel support is rotated about one end of the wheel support rotatably supported by the frame portion, and is deployed out of the frame-shaped structure.

A vehicle inspection system is described. The vehicle inspection system comprises: an inspection device, for performing an inspection on a vehicle to be inspected; a carrier platform, for carrying the vehicle to be inspected; and an unmanned controlled travelling device for moving the carrier platform to pass through a scanning area of the inspection device, so as to perform the inspection on the vehicle to be inspected. In the present disclosure, the vehicle to be inspected is carried by the carrier platform, and the unmanned controlled travelling device is used to move the carrier platform to pass through the scanning area of the inspection device, so that the vehicle to be inspected can be subject to inspection smoothly. There is no driver required to drive through the scanning area in this process, thus avoiding exposure of a driver to a threat of radiation.

A vehicle inspection system is described. The vehicle inspection system comprises: an inspection device, for performing an inspection on a vehicle to be inspected; a carrier platform, for carrying the vehicle to be inspected; and an unmanned controlled travelling device for moving the carrier platform to pass through a scanning area of the inspection device, so as to perform the inspection on the vehicle to be inspected. In the present disclosure, the vehicle to be inspected is carried by the carrier platform, and the unmanned controlled travelling device is used to move the carrier platform to pass through the scanning area of the inspection device, so that the vehicle to be inspected can be subject to inspection smoothly. There is no driver required to drive through the scanning area in this process, thus avoiding exposure of a driver to a threat of radiation.

The disclosure relates to a conveyor for moving four-wheel vehicles. The conveyor includes a chassis having stowable extensions movable between a position in which the extensions make it possible to move the chassis under the vehicle and a position in which the extensions make contact with the treads of the wheels. The chassis is telescopic and includes two segments that each have a pair of arms. At least one of the arm pairs is hinged so as to enable movement between a position perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the chassis with an extension at least equal to the track width of the vehicle and a folded-up position that is to occupy a width less than the distance between the inner flanks of the wheels of the vehicle. The segments are movable between a position where the arms are not in contact with the wheels and a position where each arm makes contact with the tread of one of the wheels so as to raise or lower the vehicle.

The disclosure relates to a conveyor for moving four-wheel vehicles. The conveyor includes a chassis having stowable extensions movable between a position in which the extensions make it possible to move the chassis under the vehicle and a position in which the extensions make contact with the treads of the wheels. The chassis is telescopic and includes two segments that each have a pair of arms. At least one of the arm pairs is hinged so as to enable movement between a position perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the chassis with an extension at least equal to the track width of the vehicle and a folded-up position that is to occupy a width less than the distance between the inner flanks of the wheels of the vehicle. The segments are movable between a position where the arms are not in contact with the wheels and a position where each arm makes contact with the tread of one of the wheels so as to raise or lower the vehicle.