Methods, apparatuses, systems, computing devices, and/or the like are provided. An example method may include determining a height value associated with a highest object on a pallet; causing a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensor to travel to a height based at least in part on the height value; determining whether a detection signal from the LiDAR sensor indicates a first clear status; in response to determining that the detection signal indicates the first clear status, causing a robotic arm to lift the object until the detection signal indicates a blocked status and then a second clear status.

An automated guided vehicle (AGV) is described. In an example implementation, the AGV may include an AGV body; one or more elevator mechanisms coupled to the AGV body; a support surface coupled to the AGV body and vertically movable along the AGV body by the one or more elevator mechanisms, the support surface supporting an object from underneath the object when the object is placed on the support surface; one or more arms coupled to the AGV body and vertically movable along the AGV body by the one or more elevator mechanisms, the one or more arms articulating to move the object from a first position of the object and place the object on the support surface; and an AGV controller configured to control one or more operations of the AGV.

The invention concerns an automated storage and retrieval system, a storage container handling vehicle and a method for operating such a system. The system comprises a plurality of vehicles, where each vehicle comprises a vehicle body (30), a thereto connected wheel assembly configured to guide the vehicle along the track system, a container picking device (4) for releasably attaching to a storage container, comprising one or more pivot arms (5) having a first end pivotally connected to the vehicle body at pivot point (PP). The configuration of the container picking device is such that it is movable in a pivoting motion of the pivot arm about the pivot point between a first, lifting position enabling the container picking device to lift at least one storage container from a position outside the horizontal extent of the vehicle body and a second, transport position enabling the container picking device to hold the at least one storage container at least partly inside the horizontal extent of the vehicle body.

The invention concerns an automated storage and retrieval system, a storage container handling vehicle and a method for operating such a system. The system comprises a plurality of vehicles, where each vehicle comprises a vehicle body (30), a thereto connected wheel assembly configured to guide the vehicle along the track system, a container picking device (4) for releasably attaching to a storage container, comprising one or more pivot arms (5) having a first end pivotally connected to the vehicle body at pivot point (PP). The configuration of the container picking device is such that it is movable in a pivoting motion of the pivot arm about the pivot point between a first, lifting position enabling the container picking device to lift at least one storage container from a position outside the horizontal extent of the vehicle body and a second, transport position enabling the container picking device to hold the at least one storage container at least partly inside the horizontal extent of the vehicle body.

An automated storage and retrieval system includes a storage array of storage locations for case units. An in-out case conveyor is capable of bi-directionally transporting case units to and from the storage array, and an in-out loaded pallet conveyor is capable of bi-directionally transporting loaded pallets towards and away from the storage array. A palletizer-depalletizer cell includes a bi-directional pallet transport system with more than one independently driven pallet transports, each with a different pallet holder independently movable relative to a cell frame. Placement of case units commissioning a pallet layer loading a pallet, and removal of case units decommissioning a pallet layer unloading another pallet are both effected at the common pallet layer interface at a predetermined level of the cell frame. The pallet transports independently index a first and a second of the different pallet holders, each independently holding the pallet loading at the common pallet layer interface.

A system for aligning items, which includes a packaging box transfer device to transfer a packaging box accommodating items therein, a fixing device to fix, at a withdrawal position where the items are taken out of the packaging box, the packaging box transferred by the packaging box transfer device with its top open, a withdrawal device to move to a space in which the items are accommodated in the packaging box so as to suck and take out the items, an item transfer device to transfer the items taken out by the withdrawal device with the items placed on the item transfer device, a sensor mounted on the withdrawal device to detect directions of the items taken out by the withdrawal device, and a rotating device to rotate the items taken out by the withdrawal device with the items placed on the rotating device.

A system for aligning items, which includes a packaging box transfer device to transfer a packaging box accommodating items therein, a fixing device to fix, at a withdrawal position where the items are taken out of the packaging box, the packaging box transferred by the packaging box transfer device with its top open, a withdrawal device to move to a space in which the items are accommodated in the packaging box so as to suck and take out the items, an item transfer device to transfer the items taken out by the withdrawal device with the items placed on the item transfer device, a sensor mounted on the withdrawal device to detect directions of the items taken out by the withdrawal device, and a rotating device to rotate the items taken out by the withdrawal device with the items placed on the rotating device.

A pallet lifter for use with a crane enables lifting of materials on a pallet, and then unloading of the materials at one or more locations, such as on a roof of a building. The pallet lifter may include a cage or a retainer frame that contains the material, with a pusher of the lifter used to push out individual portions of the materials. The pusher may unload the material from the top of the pallet of material, such as by sliding it down a ramp. The pusher alternatively may unload the material from the bottom of the stack on the pallet, by pushing it through a slot in the cage. For top-unloading embodiments the pallet lifter may include an assembly for changing the position of the pusher relative to the frame and the pallet, for example moving the pusher downward layer by later as the materials are unloaded.

A pallet lifter for use with a crane enables lifting of materials on a pallet, and then unloading of the materials at one or more locations, such as on a roof of a building. The pallet lifter may include a cage or a retainer frame that contains the material, with a pusher of the lifter used to push out individual portions of the materials. The pusher may unload the material from the top of the pallet of material, such as by sliding it down a ramp. The pusher alternatively may unload the material from the bottom of the stack on the pallet, by pushing it through a slot in the cage. For top-unloading embodiments the pallet lifter may include an assembly for changing the position of the pusher relative to the frame and the pallet, for example moving the pusher downward layer by later as the materials are unloaded.

Disclosed is a supply device for supplying cutouts to a machine from an inventory configured in several adjacent stacks of cutouts; the device includes a manipulator to transfer, by batch, the cutouts from the inventory to the machine. This device further includes a pressing unit to compress at least one stack that is adjacent to the one from which the manipulator removes cutouts. Also disclosed is a corresponding method.