Systems and methods for sorting delivery items are disclosed. The system may include an intake area, a sorting area operably coupled with the intake area, and a computing system operably coupled with the intake area and the sorting area. The intake area may include a source of delivery items having a plurality of delivery items, and a scanner for scanning respective indicia of each of the plurality of delivery items. The sorting area may include a conveyor having a respective sensor disposed at opposing end portions thereof, one or more sort locations disposed about the conveyor, and one or more indicators configured to indicate a proper sort location for the delivery items. The computing system may receive data corresponding to a delivery item from the scanner, determine the proper sort location for the delivery item, and send a signal to the indicator to indicate the proper sort location.

An arrangement and method for storing items is provided which may be applied, for example, in the storage of postal packages and the like. The size of an item to be stored is detected and the item is placed inside a storage structure in sufficient, but not excessive, space. In the arrangement and method, at least two, preferably three, dimensions of the item in directions perpendicular to each other are considered to determine the space in which to store it. Correspondingly, the storage structure of the arrangement comprises a plurality of vertical racks in which rack groups are present in which compartments of different width, and possibly of different depth, can be defined. The racks can possibly be mounted on rotatable platforms to further increase the capacity of the storage structure.

A goods-transport vehicle comprises a carriage (2) and a goods rack (3) arranged in the carriage (2), the goods rack (3) is provided with a plurality of storage spaces (34) used for storing goods (1). The goods-transport vehicle further comprises a fixing mechanism (4) and a picking mechanism (5). The fixing mechanism (4) is arranged in each storage space (34). After the goods (1) are placed in the corresponding storage space (34), the fixing mechanism (4) is used to automatically fix the goods (1) relative to the storage space (34). The picking mechanism (5) is arranged in the carriage (2), and is used to automatically place the goods (1) in each storage space (34) and to automatically take the goods from each storage space (34).

An apparatus for automating inventory procedures for items stored on shelves in a closed environment includes a mobile mechanical device having a movable appendage including a camera and additional sensory modalities. The camera and additional sensory modalities are used to position the movable appendage to take camera images of the items on the shelves from many different perspectives. Camera vision and the additional sensory modalities can be used to rotate, lower and raise movable appendage to position the appendage over and along the sides of the items on the shelf. The context of the mobile mechanical device is determined and edge AI computing retrieves AI context specific models based on the context. The AI context specific models may be downloaded from a cloud service. The edge AI computing uses the AI context specific models to identify and count the items on the shelf.

An apparatus for automating inventory procedures for items stored on shelves in a closed environment includes a mobile mechanical device having a movable appendage including a camera and additional sensory modalities. The camera and additional sensory modalities are used to position the movable appendage to take camera images of the items on the shelves from many different perspectives. Camera vision and the additional sensory modalities can be used to rotate, lower and raise movable appendage to position the appendage over and along the sides of the items on the shelf. The context of the mobile mechanical device is determined and edge AI computing retrieves AI context specific models based on the context. The AI context specific models may be downloaded from a cloud service. The edge AI computing uses the AI context specific models to identify and count the items on the shelf.

A customisable, modular storage system is described where goods are stored in containers and the containers are stored in stacks. The stacks are contained within towers formed of stacks of bin receiving units. A grid network of tracks is provided on the top of the bin receiving units upon which load handling devices run. The load handling 30 devices take containers from the stacks and deposit them at alternative locations in the stacks or deposit then at stations where goods may be picked out.

A shuttle for handling and transporting goods, including: a receiving base suitable for receiving a removable support for goods; a gripper suitable for cooperating with the removable support, the gripper being movable relative to the receiving base; and an extension system connected to the gripper, for moving the removable support on the receiving base. The extension system moves the gripper along a transverse axis while remaining parallel to itself, between retracted position, a first protruding position, and a second protruding position opposite the first protruding position with respect to the retracted position.

An automated system structure may be quickly and efficiently assembled using a number of storage modules. Storage modules may be comprised of a pair of shelf modules, each comprising a number of defined storage locations for storing totes, cartons, trays or other containers. The shelf modules may themselves be modular units comprising a number of horizontal storage levels affixed to a pair of vertical support assemblies at each end of the shelf modules. The pair of shelf modules may be accurately spaced from each other by mounting the shelf modules to tie beams at the bottom and tie plates at the top.

An automated system structure may be quickly and efficiently assembled using a number of storage modules. Storage modules may be comprised of a pair of shelf modules, each comprising a number of defined storage locations for storing totes, cartons, trays or other containers. The shelf modules may themselves be modular units comprising a number of horizontal storage levels affixed to a pair of vertical support assemblies at each end of the shelf modules. The pair of shelf modules may be accurately spaced from each other by mounting the shelf modules to tie beams at the bottom and tie plates at the top.

A contactless order dispensing system is provided for dispensing e-commerce orders to customers at a store without a person-to-person interaction. The dispensing system includes a customer access portal for presenting orders to the customer, preferably at an exterior location. A transportation system (e.g. conveyer system) transports orders from a storage buffer system to the customer access portal. The storage buffer holds customer orders until the customer arrives to retrieve them and may store portions of orders at different temperatures. The dispensing system includes a confirmation sensor system to verify whether a customer has retrieved their entire order or whether the customer has rejected one or more of the order items. The dispensing system provides the order to the customer within about two minutes of the customer indicating that they are at the access portal and ready for their order.