B65G2209/06

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FULFILLING PEER-TO-PEER TRANSACTIONS BY AUTONOMOUS ROBOT VEHICLES

A system for fulfilling peer-to-peer transactions by autonomous robot vehicles includes processor(s) and a memory storing instructions which, when executed by the processor(s), cause the system to: receive information on a peer-to-peer transaction between a seller and a buyer for an item, communicate instructions to an autonomous vehicle to travel to a first destination and receive the item, receive an indication that the item has been received, communicate instructions to the autonomous vehicle to travel to a second destination to deliver the item to the buyer, receive a signal indicating that buyer funds are in escrow, and receive a signal indicating that the item is accepted or rejected by the buyer. In a case where the item is accepted, the system communicates a release of the funds from the escrow to the seller. In a case the item is rejected, the system determines a handling itinerary for the item.

Storage and order-picking system
10207871 · 2019-02-19 · ·

It is disclosed a method (70) for operating a storage and order-picking system (10) in which a plurality of manipulators (40) process a plurality of picking/storing orders in accordance with a manipulator-to-handling-unit principle, wherein the system (10) comprises a provision zone (12), a picking zone (14), a plurality of provision units (42, 62) in the provision zone, a plurality of, particularly stationary arranged, transfer locations (46) in the picking zone (14), a DTS (18) including a plurality of DTVs (20), and a controlling device (32), and wherein the method (70) comprises the following steps of: analyzing (S10) the plurality of picking/storing orders by the controlling device (32) for determining retrieval/delivery locations in the provision zone (12); setting (S12) of transfer actions (48) by selecting for each of the retrieval/delivery locations one or more of the transfer locations (46) in the picking zone (14) as delivery/retrieval location and by assigning the same thereto, wherein the delivery/retrieval location is located within an action zone (72) extending around the respective retrieval/delivery location and moving dynamically with the respective manipulator (40); generating (S14) an action order for each of the manipulators (40) by selecting some of the transfer actions (48), and setting a, particularly unidirectional, moving path (74) along which the respective manipulator (40) moves between the selected retrieval/delivery locations throughout the, preferably entire, picking zone (14); and generating (S16) transport orders for the DTVs (20) so that each of the manipulators (40), during performance of its action order, can perform its transfer actions (48) within its action zone (72), preferably without interruption.

Dynamic layout management for robotics warehouse system
10210212 · 2019-02-19 · ·

Embodiments implement a minispace concept to dynamically manage layout of a robotics warehouse system. The warehouse space is divided into a plurality of equally sized minispaces, each corresponding to a standard rack footprint. Each minispace is identified by tagging with a unit location ID and attribute(s) such as coordinates. Minispaces may be referenced in a task planning process flow that initially comprises determining stock and rack, followed by determining a relevant workstation. The task is then assigned to an appropriate robot, and a travel route is planned (e.g., shortest path in minispace layout). Robot actions within the route are then planned and executed by the warehouse management system according to the minispace layout. Minispaces allow a robot to identify each minispace by the tagging, and to plan the next movement accordingly. The use of minispaces may facilitate collision avoidance by grouping actions together and allowing performance of minispace locking/checking procedures.

GROCERY DELIVERY SYSTEM HAVING ROBOT VEHICLES WITH TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY CONTROL COMPARTMENTS
20190047356 · 2019-02-14 ·

An autonomous robot vehicle in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure includes a conveyance system and a compartment coupled to the conveyance system. The conveyance system autonomously drives the autonomous robotic vehicle between one or more grocery storage locations and one or more delivery locations. The compartment receives one or more grocery items stored at the one more grocery storage locations. The compartment includes a temperature control module configured to maintain the compartment within a predetermined temperature range to provide temperature control for the one or more grocery items as the conveyance system drives between the one or more grocery storage locations and the one or more delivery locations.

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PERSONAL VERIFICATION FOR AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE DELIVERIES
20190047515 · 2019-02-14 ·

In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, an autonomous robot vehicle is disclosed. In various embodiments, the autonomous robot vehicle includes a conveyance system, a securable compartment configured to autonomously lock and unlock where the securable compartment contains an item for delivery to a particular individual, a personal identification reader, at least one processor, and a memory storing instructions. The instructions, when executed by the processor(s), cause the autonomous robot vehicle to, autonomously, travel to a destination location of the particular individual, capture by the personal identification reader at the destination location a personal identification object, determine that the captured personal identification object matches an identity of the particular individual, and unlock the securable compartment based on the determination.

AUTONOMOUS ROBOT VEHICLE WITH SECURABLE COMPARTMENTS
20190049995 · 2019-02-14 ·

A system for a mobile secure locker in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure includes processor(s) and memory storing instructions. The instructions, when executed by the processor(s), cause the system to provide a user interface for a user to rent a mobile secure locker in an autonomous robot vehicle, receive information through the user interface from the user where the information includes a first destination, a second destination, and a time associated with the second destination, communicate instructions to the autonomous robot vehicle to travel to the first destination to receive the item, receive an indication from the autonomous robot vehicle that the item has been received, communicate instructions to the autonomous robot vehicle to travel to the second destination to deliver the item to the user at the time associated with the second destination, and receive from the autonomous robot vehicle an indication the item is retrieved.

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR A SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE VIA AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES

Systems and methods for autonomous delivery management are disclosed. In various embodiments, the system includes one or more processors and a memory storing instructions which, when executed by the processor(s), cause the autonomous delivery management system to provide a user interface for a customer to enter subscription information, receive subscription information from the user interface where the subscription information includes an item and a time interval for regularly delivering the item to the customer, store the subscription information, determine a handling itinerary for the item that includes delivery of the item in compliance with the time interval, and communicate instructions to an autonomous vehicle based on the handling itinerary.

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR A MIXED FLEET TRANSPORTATION SERVICE

Systems and methods are disclosed for providing transportation or delivery services using a fleet of mixed vehicles. A computer-implemented method of providing services using a fleet of mixed vehicles includes receiving at a server a request for a service, determining parameters for the service, selecting by the server a vehicle from a fleet of mixed vehicles to perform at least a portion of the service based on the determined parameters, and transmitting a message to the selected vehicle to perform the at least a portion of the service. The fleet of mixed vehicles includes at least two of: a semi-autonomous vehicle, a fully-autonomous vehicle, a vehicle remotely operated by a human, or a human driven vehicle.

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ONE-CLICK DELIVERY OF AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE
20190050808 · 2019-02-14 ·

A delivery system includes a database configured to store information of a customer where the information includes a default payment method, a communication system configured to communicate with an autonomous vehicle and with a device of the customer, where the device includes a display screen having a button to summon an autonomous vehicle, at least one processor, and a memory storing instructions. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the delivery system to receive an indication via the communication system that the button on the device of the customer has been clicked, and instruct the autonomous vehicle to travel to a location of the customer.

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR VISUAL SEARCH AND AUTONOMOUS DELIVERY
20190043009 · 2019-02-07 ·

A delivery control system includes a communication device configured to receive an image of a product from a computing device of a customer, at least one processor, and a memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the delivery control system to perform an image recognition process on the image to identify at least one product based on the image, transmit the identified at least one product to the computing device via the communication device, receive from the computing device a product selected by the customer from among the identified at least one product, and instruct an robot vehicle to deliver the selected product to the customer.