A method for retrieving content stored in a warehouse, the method may include: maintaining first content in boxes of a lowest shelf of a storage unit of the warehouse, while maintaining in boxes of higher shelves of the storage unit second content that is of less interest than the first content; accessing the boxes of the lowest shelf and providing the boxes to interfacing units, by a first robot; accessing the boxes of the higher shelves and providing the boxes to the interfacing units, by a second robot; wherein the first robot, when positioned at a lower position, is lower than a height of the lowest shelf, and wherein the second robot is higher than the height of the lowest shelf.

A battery inspection system includes a controller configured to perform: group control of managing a predetermined number of batteries taken in by a take-in conveyor as a same group; inspection control of controlling a conveying device to bring the batteries taken in by the take-in conveyor into an inspection device that is not performing inspection, and also controlling the conveying device to retrieve the batteries that have been inspected from the inspection device; and storage control of controlling the conveying device to store at least some of the batteries retrieved from the inspection device into the storage device, and also controlling the conveying device to continuously deliver a set of batteries of the same group from the inspection device or the storage device to the take-out conveyor.

Disclosed are a method, control system, storage and retrieval equipments, and handling equipments. The control system is configured to: determine a target inventory receptacle from inventory receptacles in a storage area of an inventory system; and determine a target storage and retrieval equipment and a target handling equipment, and send a dispatching instruction to the target storage and retrieval equipment and the target handling equipment. The target storage and retrieval equipment is configured to: drive, in response to the dispatching instruction, to a position specified in the dispatching instruction, take out the target inventory receptacle, and directly or indirectly undertake the target inventory receptacle to the target handling equipment. The target handling equipment is configured to: drive, in response to the dispatching instruction, to a position specified in the dispatching instruction, undertake the target inventory receptacle, and transport the target inventory receptacle from the storage area to a workstation.

An automatic picking machine for pharmaceutical drug packages includes at least one storage rack, at least one storage and retrieval machine, a control apparatus for controlling the storage and retrieval machine, and a filling apparatus for successively filling each of a plurality of transport containers with a group of pharmaceutical drug packages corresponding to one order, wherein the filling apparatus includes a plurality of collection containers, first transport apparatuses, each having a transport channel for conveying the pharmaceutical drug packages towards the respective collection container, and a receiving apparatus for receiving a transport container to be filled at a filling location of the filing apparatus.

A system comprising a load port and a transfer module. In one embodiment, the load port includes a plate having a first opening and a second opening, a first workpiece access port, a second workpiece access port and at least one storage location. The storage location(s) may be located either beneath the second workpiece access port or above the first workpiece access port. The transfer mosule, which is located adjacent the load port, includes a load arm for moving the workpiece containers between the first workpiece access port, the second workpiece access port, any of the storage shelves and a material transport system.

A first wheel supporting portion of a stacker crane is fixed to a travelling vehicle main body to be pivotable in the horizontal direction. A first drive wheel is supported by the first wheel supporting portion and is able to contact one side surface of a lower guide rail. A lock mechanism fixes the first wheel supporting portion to the travelling vehicle main body so that the first wheel supporting portion cannot pivot. A second wheel supporting portion is fixed to the travelling vehicle main body to be capable of pivoting horizontally. A second drive wheel is supported by the second wheel supporting portion and is able to contact with another side surface of the lower guide rail. A pressing mechanism presses the first and second wheel supporting portions such that a distance between the first wheel supporting portion and the second wheel supporting portion is reduced, to cause the first and second drive wheels to laterally clamp the lower guide rail. Pressing of the pressing mechanism is capable of being released.

The present invention is directed to a system and method for transferring specimen containers between detection instruments. The method may include transporting a specimen container in a locator well to a container transfer station in a first automated detection apparatus; sensing the specimen container at the container transfer station using a first sensor; transferring the specimen container from the container transfer station of the first automated microbial detection apparatus to an automated loading mechanism of a second automated microbial detection apparatus; detecting that the specimen container is positioned over the automated loading mechanism of the second automated microbial detection apparatus using a second sensor; and releasing the specimen container onto the automated loading mechanism of the second automated microbial detection apparatus.

A load handling device is disclosed for lifting and moving one or more containers stacked in a storage system having a grid framework structure supporting a pathway arranged in a grid pattern above stacks 1of containers, the load handling device including a vehicle body housing a driving; a lifting device including a lifting drive assembly and a grabber, wherein the lifting drive assembly and/or the driving mechanism includes at least one motor forming an electrical load; a rechargeable energy storage for providing energy to power the electrical load; and a charging system including a first part for charging the rechargeable energy storage including a charge receiving element on the vehicle body, and a second part for delivering energy to the electrical load; wherein the second part includes a DC/DC converter to supply a predetermined DC voltage across the electrical load.

The present application is directed to a robotic system for maintaining product inventory and dispensing products upon request from a customer or other user. Product items are stored in an inventory storage unit (ISU), one item per bin. Controller logic allows items to be stored in, and retrieved from, arbitrarily-assigned storage locations. The bins hang on rails within drawers. Upon a request from a consumer (or other user) in a fulfillment operation, the robot retrieves a bin holding the first item from the ISU. Upon a request from an operator (or other user) in a replenishment operation, the robot transfers an empty bin to an operator station (such as a replenishing unit). The controller logic allows the fulfillment operations to be prioritized over the replenishment operations, in addition to the implementation of other prioritizations.

First and second masts of a stacker crane are provided in a travelling vehicle main body to be spaced away from each other in an X-direction and extending in a Z-direction. First and second travel wheels are mounted to the travelling vehicle main body to be spaced away from each other in the X-direction, and roll on an upper surface of a lower guide rail. First and second drive wheel units are provided in the travelling vehicle main body to be spaced away from each other in the X direction. Each of the first and second drive wheel units includes a first drive wheel and a second drive wheel. The first drive wheel is in contact with a first side surface of the lower guide rail, and the second drive wheel is pivotably attached to the travelling vehicle main body and urged toward the first drive wheel so that the second drive wheel is in contact with a second surface of the lower guide rail.