Provided is an automated vertical transfer system for a site that includes one or more mezzanines or other structures that create different operational vertical planes. The system may include a robot controller and one or more robots that operate exclusively on one of the different operational vertical planes. The robot controller may synchronize and/or coordinate the operations of the robots and/or other devices so that objects may be transferred across planes while each robot remains and continues operations on one plane.

An automated production system for facilitating execution of a work order within a facility. The system includes a fetch robot at an inventory storage station (ISS), an automated guided vehicle (AGV) moving autonomously between the ISS and work stations, and a controller in communication with the fetch robot and AGV. The controller receives the work order, directs the AGV to move to the ISS, receive a first signal that the AGV has arrived at the ISS, and directs, based on receiving the first signal, the fetch robot to retrieve a part associated with the work order from within the ISS, wherein the fetch robot loads the part onto the AGV. The controller also receives a second signal that retrieval and loading of the part has been completed, and directs, based on receiving the second signal, the AGV to deliver the part from the ISS to the work station.

The invention relates to a method for producing objects, in particular motor vehicles, in an industrial production process, wherein a plurality of work processes is coordinated by a process control system, wherein the process control system exchanges data with at least one electronic communication device via a communication path, which electronic communication device is operated autonomously and independently of the process control system, wherein a user can enter data at the electronic communication device, which are then transmitted to the process control system as a change data set, and the process control system coordinates the production process anew on the basis of the received change data. The invention further relates to an installation for producing objects, in particular motor vehicles, to a telecommunication method, and to a computer program.

A sortation system is disclosed that includes a programmable motion device including an end effector, a perception system for recognizing any of the identity, location, and orientation of an object presented in a plurality of objects, a grasp selection system for selecting a grasp location on the object, the grasp location being chosen to provide a secure grasp of the object by the end effector to permit the object to be moved from the plurality of objects to one of a plurality of destination locations, and a motion planning system for providing a motion path for the transport of the object when grasped by the end effector from the plurality of objects to the one of the plurality of destination locations, wherein the motion path is chosen to provide a path from the plurality of objects to the one of the plurality of destination locations.

A sortation system is disclosed for providing processing of homogenous and non-homogenous objects in both structured and cluttered environments. The sortation system includes a programmable motion device including an end effector, a perception system for recognizing any of the identity, location, and orientation of an object presented in a plurality of objects, a grasp selection system for selecting a grasp location on the object, the grasp location being chosen to provide a secure grasp of the object by the end effector to permit the object to be moved from the plurality of objects to one of a plurality of destination locations, and a motion planning system for providing a motion path for the transport of the object when grasped by the end effector from the plurality of objects to the one of the plurality of destination locations, wherein the motion path is chosen to provide a path from the plurality of objects to the one of the plurality of destination locations.

An order-picking method includes autonomously routing a plurality of mobile robotic units in an order fulfillment facility and picking articles to or putting articles from the robotic units in the order fulfillment facility. A material-handling robotic unit that is adapted for use in an order fulfillment facility includes an autonomous mobile vehicle base and a plurality of article receptacles positioned on the base. A visual indicator associated with the receptacle facilitates picking articles to or putting articles from the robotic unit.

To solve the above problem, a control apparatus, a program, and a system that are capable of effectively providing picking information are provided. According to an embodiment, a control apparatus includes an image interface, a communication unit, and a processor. The image interface obtains an instruction image indicating information of articles to be picked. The communication unit transmits and receives data to and from a robot system that picks the articles. The processor generates picking information of the articles to be picked from the instruction image, and transmits the picking information to the robot system via the communication unit.

A workpiece collecting point unit for a machine tool, in particular for a flatbed machine tool, such as a laser cutting or punching flatbed machine tool, has a placing area for workpieces produced by the machine tool within the framework of a processing plan, a display unit adapted to display information about the workpieces, which are to be further processed and were placed on the placing area, to an operator, and a signal device adapted to output an identification signal indicating to an operator the location of the selected workpiece collecting point unit for placing the workpiece, which is to be further processed, on the placing area. The workpiece collecting point unit can be used inter alia in a process to support a sequence of processing steps for processing workpieces.

A method for assisting a user with sorting workpieces disposed on a sorting table uses a positioning system for determining a spatial position of a user's hand. The position can be determined by a sorting assistance unit worn near a hand of the user and the position of which is detected by the positioning system, or by image-based positioning using one or more cameras. The method comprises providing a position data set that includes the positions of the workpieces produced of the machining plan on the sorting table; by the positioning system, detecting a position of the user's hand and comparing it with the positions of the position data set; identifying at least one workpiece that is paired with the position of the user's hand; and outputting a sorting signal which comprises information about the at least one workpiece paired with the position of the user's hand.

A safety system is disclosed for failsafe servicing of areas within an order fulfillment facility. During normal operation, a number of battery-powered robots receive wireless instructions from a management control system (MCS) to transfer items to/from workstations or storage shelves in a multi-level storage structure. The order fulfillment facility may be divided into dynamically configurable service zones. When service is required in a service zone, different safety protocols may be employed based on a determination as to the priority level of service required and/or the estimated length of time service will take. One safety protocol involves physically blocking all access points to a service area with mechanical guards, so that order fulfillment operations may be proceed around the service zone while service is performed.