A method and apparatus for transporting a payload carrying device is disclosed. The method comprises providing at least one payload carrying device, a vehicle for transporting the at least one payload carrying device, a connection device for connecting the vehicle and the at least one payload carrying device, at least one sensor device for capturing information regarding the vehicle's surrounding environment, and a control unit for operating the connection device autonomously to connect the vehicle and the at least one payload carrying device where, once connected, the weight of the at least one payload carrying device rests directly on the floor and the vehicle autonomously transports the at least one payload carrying device to a desired location, and operating the connection device autonomously to disconnect the vehicle and the at least one payload carrying device at the desired location where the at least one payload carrying device is immobilized.

The invention relates to a method for producing a support structure in the form of a hybrid component with a base structure and with at least one reinforcement structure, having the following steps: producing the at least one reinforcement structure for each base structure, wherein the at least one reinforcement structure, in particular all of the reinforcement structures, is/are made of a composite material comprising fibers and a matrix using a pultrusion and/or extrusion process, and connecting the at least one reinforcement structure to the base structure such that the at least one reinforcement structure is connected to the base structure in a connection position, and the base structure together with the at least one reinforcement structure forms the support structure.

This application describes fabric storage totes, as well as techniques for use of fabric totes in an infrastructure that uses mechanical systems to transport the fabric totes and/or access inventory items in the fabric totes. The fabric totes may include a fabric base and side walls, with a hardened material support structure. Additionally, the fabric totes may include two handles made of a substantially hard material. The fabric totes may be accessed and transported, manually and/or mechanically, via interaction with the handles.

Devices, systems and methods are provided for transporting one or more items with an autonomous robot, which is at least capable of independent movement as desired without the need of additional infrastructure, mechanisms or assistance. One of the methods includes providing the robot with a list at least containing the at least one item to be transported, where the at least one item is located in a first area. The at least one item is gathered from the first area via the robot. The at least one item is transported from the first area to at least a second area via the robot. The at least one item is placed in at least the second area without any intervention from outside the robot regardless of where the second area is with respect to the first area so that the at least one item can be autonomously transported from the first area to the second area as needed.

A method to operate a production plant having a plurality of work regions in which respective work stations are arranged to carry out at least on respective work step, and having at least one transport system that transports goods to be processed on at least one predetermined path between the work stations, involves selecting the arrangement of the work stations, the work step that is able to be carried out by the respective work station, and the at least one predetermined path according to at least one predetermined criterion that is related to a production requirement, and adapting these due to a change of the at least one criterion.

An example method is carried out in a warehouse environment having a plurality of inventory items located therein, each having a corresponding on-item identifier. The method involves determining a target inventory item having a target on-item identifier. The method also involves determining that a first inventory item having a first on-item identifier is loaded onto a first robotic device. The method further involves transmitting a request to verify the first on-item identifier. The method still further involves receiving data captured by a sensor of the second robotic device. The method yet further involves (i) analyzing the received data to determine the first on-item identifier, (ii) comparing the first on-item identifier and the target on-item identifier, and (iii) responsive to comparing the first on-item identifier and the target on-item identifier, performing an action.

A system is disclosed for autonomously teaching one or more working points in an apparatus configured to process disks during manufacture. The apparatus including an end effector with a gripper for holding a disk and a robotic unit configured to move the end effector between working points throughout the apparatus. The system comprises one or more servers configured to execute method steps. The steps comprise leveling the gripper in a first position with respect to a first fixture; determining a location of the gripper in the first position, and determining a location of a center of the disk in the first position with respect to the first fixture.

To make it possible to operate a conveyor installation (1) in the form of a long stator linear motor in a simple manner, a first trigger point (Tx) is defined in at least one first position (Px) on the conveying track (2) and a first program code (Fx) which can be executed in the system controller (6) and with which a transport unit (TEn) is moved along a track section of the conveying track (2) in accordance with a defined movement profile is assigned to the first trigger point (Tx), and this program code (Fx) is executed for each transport unit (TEn) that reaches the first trigger point (Tx).

A substrate transport empiric arm droop mapping apparatus for a substrate transport system of a processing tool, the mapping apparatus including a frame, an interface disposed on the frame forming datum features representative of a substrate transport space in the processing tool defined by the substrate transport system, a substrate transport arm, that is articulated and has a substrate holder, mounted to the frame in a predetermined relation to at least one of the datum features, and a registration system disposed with respect to the substrate transport arm and at least one datum feature so that the registration system registers, in an arm droop distance register, empiric arm droop distance, due to arm droop changes, between a first arm position and a second arm position different than the first arm position and in which the substrate holder is moved in the transport space along at least one axis of motion.

Systems, methods, and machine-executable coded instruction sets for controlling the movement of transporting devices and/or operations conducted at various workstations are disclosed. In particular, the disclosure provides methods, systems and computer-readable media for controlling the movement of transporting devices configured for fullyand/or partly automated handling of goods and/or controlling operations conducted at various workstations.