A system for sorting and dispensing packages can include a flip gate assembly. The flip gate assembly can include a base, an inclined surface, one or more support legs extending from the base to the inclined surface, an actuator attached to the base, and a flip gate pivotably attached to the inclined surface. The flip gate can be configured to be actuated by the actuator between a retracted configuration, in which a top side of the flip gate is planar with a top surface of the inclined surface, and an extended configuration, in which the top side of the flip gate is disposed at an angle with respect to the top surface of the inclined surface.

A vacuum-based end effector for engaging parcels includes a base plate, one or more vacuum cups of a first type, and one or more vacuum cups of a second type. Each vacuum cup of the vacuum-based end effector is configured to be placed in fluid communication with a vacuum source to provide the vacuum cup with a suction force which can be used to engage and grasp parcels. Each vacuum cup includes a bellows defining a pathway for a flow of air and a lip connected to the bellows. Each lip of the one or more vacuum cups of the first type comprises a foam lip, and each lip of the one or more vacuum cups of the second type comprises an elastomeric lip. The vacuum-based end effector can be combined with a robot to provide an improved system for engaging parcels.

A high-speed pressure based propulsion system for transporting resources is disclosed. The system comprising: a plurality of cars; an electronic track configured to carry said plurality of cars; an automatic guidance system configured to establish a route for said plurality of cars on said electronic track based on one or more pre-defined parameters; a plurality of electronically controlled stations configured to facilitate one or more task on said routed plurality of cars for transportation of resources. The disclosed system facilitates movement of food from one place to another by use of fast speed hyperloop technology and thereby tries to solves the issue of malnutrition in under developed nations.

A trapdoor rejection subsystem includes one or more trapdoor rejection mechanisms. Each trapdoor rejection mechanism is configured to be selectively transitioned between a closed position to support parcels and an open position to allow parcels identified as unconveyable to pass through the trapdoor rejection mechanism. Each trapdoor rejection mechanism includes a first door, a second door, and one or more actuators which can be selectively actuated to rotate the first door and the second door and transition the trapdoor rejection mechanism between the closed position and the open position. The trapdoor rejection subsystem can be utilized in a conveyor system in combination with one or more robot singulators, an upstream conveyor, a place conveyor, and a vision and control subsystem. Detection of unconveyable parcels and the transition of each trapdoor rejection mechanism of the trapdoor rejection subsystem is controlled by the vision and control subsystem.

An identifier associated with one or more assets is obtained in response to a reader component reading a tag associated with one or more assets as the one or more assets traverse a conveyor apparatus. At least partially in response to the obtaining of the identifier, a storage unit of a plurality of storage units is caused to automatically rotate to a loading location to receive the one or more assets.

System and method are provided where parcels or packages are associated or grouped, into logical group or logical containerization of parcels or packages, without need for physical container, such that parcels or packages can be tracked as a group, for example with a unique group ID. Logical group may be tracked within specified logical zone on conveyor, transported, sorted and/or otherwise processed as unique logical group without need to be contained in physical container. System and method for automated sortation can accumulate set number or set volume of packages, and then process the accumulated set number or volume of packages.

System includes an article supply location that includes a plurality of articles to be sorted, first and second transport vehicles, each having a first position in which an article is stowed about the vehicle and a second position in which the article is deposited into a proximal container, and one or more removal devices that transport the container to a location of further processing. System further includes a control system configured to receive an order for a plurality of disparate articles, determine one destination container of a plurality of destination containers to direct the transport vehicle to deposit a selected article, direct the first transport vehicle to transport a selected article to the destination container, deposit the article in the destination container, and transport the destination container to a location for further processing by manipulation of the removal device.

Provided are a parcel sorting system and method. The parcel sorting system is arranged in layers and includes: a parcel sorting layer located on an upper layer of the parcel sorting system, a moveable container carrying layer located on a lower layer of the parcel sorting system, a parcel delivery robot and a control device. The parcel sorting layer includes a modular entity platform that is a physical platform formed by splicing multiple splicable units and used for sorting parcels. The modular entity platform includes multiple delivery lattices arranged in an array and a traveling area constituted by gaps between the lattices and used for the parcel delivery robot traveling. One delivery lattices corresponds to one or more delivery path directions. The moveable container carrying layer includes multiple moveable containers, and a part of the containers are located below the lattices and receive the parcel from the parcel sorting layer.

A rooftop package delivery receptacle for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) is transformed from a normally closed downwardly pitched transparent or translucent aesthetically acceptable rooftop aperture, appearing as an ordinary skylight, into a preferably larger substantially horizontal delivery platform providing a safe, secure, above ground location for a drone to land or tether for package delivery. Upon a wireless command signal from either an arriving UAV or a local user, the curb frame mounted receptacle containing a center pivoting platform supporting a plurality of slidably mounted panels rotates upwards and expands both longitudinally and transversely enabling a larger substantially horizontal landing area. After the package is delivered the platform contracts to its original size and continues in an upwards rotation urging the package to move inwards for collection. A pair of weatherproof accordion shaped shudders surround the openings and enclose any gaps during the operation.

Provided is a package sorting method, a sorting area layout, a sorting system, and a path optimization method. The package sorting method includes: dividing a sorting area into at least a first logical partition close to a first item collecting area and a second logical partition close to a second item collecting area, where the first logical partition includes a first item dropping area, and the second logical partition includes a second item dropping area. By this method, a total path of package delivery is reduced.