A transport device according to the present invention includes: a transport unit that transports a transport object; a moving unit that controls movement of the transport device; and a control unit that controls an operation of the transport unit and the moving unit according to an instruction. In a case that the instruction includes forming group transport, the control unit controls the moving unit to move to a position where a group for implementing the group transport is formed, and controls the transport unit to transport the transport object at the position. In a case that the instruction includes implementing individual transport, the control unit controls the moving unit to move from the transport source to the transport destination.

A method for redundant control in a distributed automation system, preferably a real-time automation system, for operating a client device of the distributed automation system is discussed. The method includes using the client device to monitor for the occurrence of a fault in communication between the client device and a first computing infrastructure that is part of the distributed automation system and operates the client device. The method may also include using the client device, once the fault occurs, to instruct a second computing infrastructure of the distributed automation system to operate the client device.

Disclosed are systems and methods for dynamically routing pickers and autonomous vehicles to avoid areas closed to travel by the autonomous vehicles within a warehouse. A processor in communication with an autonomous vehicle and an electronic device operated by a user (e.g., handheld device) may, in response to detecting that the electronic device diverges from a path of the autonomous vehicle, provide, for display on the electronic device, information about the product. The processor may then determine a rendezvous location for the autonomous vehicle based on a location of the product. The processor may then instruct the autonomous vehicle to navigate to the rendezvous location and transmit the rendezvous location to the electronic device.

An order processing system includes a plurality of robotic devices, a set of storage systems, an order consolidation system, and a control server. The control server receives a set of orders for an item, determines a cumulative order quantity of the item, and selects a subset of the set of orders to be opened up for consolidation at the order consolidation system. The control server identifies one the storage systems that stores the item as per the cumulative order quantity and assigns the storage system to an operator station for batch picking of the cumulative order quantity. The control server controls a first robotic device to transport the storage system to the operator station, and a second robotic device to collect from the operator station a first portion of the cumulative order quantity and transfer the first portion to a set of order bins associated with the subset of orders.

A pallet position detection apparatus is provided. The detection apparatus and method checks information on a pallet disposed on a vehicle by recognizing an Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag or a Quick Response (QR) code attached to the truck, and recognizes an exact position of the pallet by detecting a reflector positioned on the pallet by a Lidar sensor, and unloads the pallet from the truck using an unmanned forklift vehicle based on the recognized position of the pallet.

Disclosed are systems and methods for dynamically routing autonomous vehicles to minimize the time spent navigating a warehouse. A system may dynamically route autonomous vehicles based on a weighted arrangement (or combination) of factors including: the route determined for other autonomous vehicles, the pick lists associated with the autonomous vehicles, the pick list priority, the picker's current location, the autonomous vehicles' current location, the picker's assignment to an autonomous vehicle, the picker's progress in completing his/her tasks, the picker's projected location, the autonomous vehicles' projected location, the nearest autonomous vehicle to a picker in time based on the picker's walking speed, the nearest autonomous vehicle in urgency, the nearest autonomous vehicle in distance, autonomous vehicle battery level, orders already placed on an autonomous vehicle, priority pickers, products to be picked that can be prioritized over other pickers and/or picking routes.

An industrial vehicle remote operation system includes a forklift truck that includes a vehicle communication unit, a remote operation device that includes a remote communication unit performing wireless communication with the vehicle communication unit and is used for remotely operating the industrial vehicle, and a forced stop control unit configured to decelerate and forcibly stop traveling of the industrial vehicle while maintaining a steering angle of the industrial vehicle formed when a forced stop condition is met, in a case where the forced stop condition is met during a remote operation of traveling of the industrial vehicle using the remote operation device.

An operating situation obtaining unit obtains the operating situation information of a plurality of operating vehicles along a predetermined route. A delayed vehicle extraction unit extracts a delayed vehicle that is delayed in actual operation relative to the operation schedule from among the plurality of operating vehicles, based on the operating situation information of the respective operating vehicles. An overtaking instruction unit outputs an overtaking instruction to overtake the delayed vehicle to a following vehicle that immediately follows the delayed vehicle.

A self-moving device includes a body, a walking assembly arranged on the body, and a control system arranged in the body. The self-moving device further includes an optical receiving device and at least two optical emitting devices arranged on the body. Paths of emitted light emitted by the at least two optical emitting devices are different. The optical receiving device is adapted to receive a reflected light formed after the emitted light emitted by at least one of the optical emitting devices hits an obstacle. A distance measuring method of the self-moving device is also disclosed.

A method, system, and computer program for controlling operation of an automated storage and retrieval system during rebuilding a physical design. The method includes a planning and designing phase that establish a new design. Storage columns with a rail system that is affected by the rebuilding are excluded from a selection of available routes for container handling vehicles operating on the storage system. In a relocation phase, storage containers located in excluded storage columns are relocated to other storage columns. In a rerouting phase, traffic flow of container handling vehicles are rerouted according to available routes. A master controller is instructed to control the vehicles according to the available routes. In a rebuilding phase, the storage system is rebuilt according to the new physical design. In a final routing phase, the routing planner controls traffic flow of the vehicles according to available routes on the rail system of the rebuilt physical design.