A method handles malfunctioning vehicles on a track system constituting part of a storage and retrieval system configured to store a plurality of stacks of storage containers. The track system forms a grid pattern of adjacent cells. The storage and retrieval system includes a plurality of remotely operated vehicles configured to move laterally on the track system, wherein each of the plurality of remotely operated vehicles comprises driving wheels, and a control system for monitoring and controlling wirelessly movements of the plurality of remotely operated vehicles. The control system performs at least the following steps by wireless data communication: detecting an anomaly in an operational condition of a vehicle on the track system, registering the vehicle with the anomalous operational condition as a malfunctioning vehicle, registering a halt position of the malfunctioning vehicle relative to the supporting track system, and setting up a two-dimensional shutdown zone on the track system. The setting up a two-dimensional shutdown zone on the track system includes a malfunctioning vehicle zone including the halt position of the malfunctioning vehicle, and an entrance zone for entry into the malfunctioning vehicle zone. The entrance zone extends between the malfunctioning vehicle zone and a location at a periphery of the track system. The control system further performs ordering the remotely operated vehicles in operation within the shutdown zone to either move out of the shutdown zone, a halt or a combination thereof, and indicating allowance of entry into the entrance zone for an external operator by at least one of: unlocking a gateway at the periphery, and producing an entry-allowed signal registrable by a human operator located at the periphery such that the human operator may enter the entrance zone through the gateway.

The present invention aims at providing a low-temperature storage container that is highly insulated and can therefore reduce the amount of cooling medium consumption. The low-temperature storage container of the present invention includes a cylindrical container body having an opening and a storage compartment, and a plurality of holding shelves provided in the storage compartment, on which storage trays for holding storage objects are placed. The storage compartment includes a plurality of holding zones arranged in a circumferential direction of the container body, where the storage trays are held, and at least one passage zone where the storage trays pass. The holding shelves are configured as parts of a plurality of rack units that are sections arranged in a circumferential direction of the container body.

A system includes an article supply location, wherein the article supply location 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 a control system. The control system is 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 and deposit the article by manipulation of the first transport vehicle from the first position to the second position for deposit of the selected article in the destination container.

A remotely operated vehicle for moving on a rail system includes a first set of wheels, a second set of wheels, a wheel displacement assembly, and a wheel drive assembly. The rail system includes a first set of parallel rails and a second set of parallel rails arranged perpendicular to the first set of rails. The first set of wheels includes a first pair of wheels and a second pair of wheels, the first and second pairs of wheels arranged on opposite sides of a vehicle frame, allowing movement of the vehicle along a first direction on the rail system during use. The second set of wheels includes a third pair of wheels and a fourth pair of wheels, the third and fourth pairs of wheels arranged on opposite sides of the vehicle frame, allowing movement of the vehicle along a second direction on the rail system during use. The second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. The wheel displacement assembly is mounted to the vehicle frame and arranged to move the second set of wheels in a vertical direction relative to the vehicle frame between a first position. The first set of wheels allows movement of the vehicle along the first direction, and a second position. The second set of wheels allows movement of the vehicle along the second direction. The wheel drive assembly includes a first motor, a drive band, and a band drive wheel. The first motor is operatively connected to rotate the band drive wheel. The drive band interconnects the band drive wheel and the third pair of wheels. The third pair of wheels and the first motor are mounted to a cross-plate which extends horizontally and is arranged to move vertically as part of the wheel displacement assembly. The third pair of wheels and the band drive wheel are attached to the cross-plate such that the cross-plate supports the third pair of wheels and the band drive wheel are in a fixed spatial configuration where each wheel of the third pair of wheels is located at an end portion of the cross-plate and the band drive wheel is positioned at a central portion of the cross-plate.

A remotely operated vehicle includes an arrangement to provide a pre-alert and tracking of a position of the vehicle following a travelling route relative to tracks laid out on rails in x-, y-directions on a rail system. The vehicle has first and seconds sets of wheels connected to drives for moving the vehicle in corresponding x-, y-directions on the rail system. The arrangement includes at least one sensor module provided with at least four sensors. A first sensor is directed vertically downwards to detect the rails in the x-direction on the sensor module. A second sensor is directed vertically downwards to detect the rails in the y-direction on the sensor module. A third sensor is positioned on the sensor module to detect a corner of an intersection between the rails in the x-direction and y-direction. A fourth sensor is configured to detect a remaining distance to the arrival of the vehicle at a set position, by detecting the rails in the x direction when travelling in the y direction, and detecting the rail in the y direction when travelling in the x direction. The fourth sensor is placed at a predefined position on the sensor module. A controller is provided on the vehicle to receive the output from at least one of the sensors and to pre-alert the remaining distance of the arrival of the vehicle at the position.

A multi-zone automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS) and a method for controlling operation of robotic storage/retrieval vehicles (RSRVs) therein are provided. The multi-zone ASRS includes first and second storage zones isolated by at least one barrier and including first and second groups of storage locations respectively for accommodating storage units therein. The multi-zone ASRS includes one or more portals opening through the barrier(s) between the storage zones, and at least one track layout. The track layout(s) includes first and second track areas occupying the first and second storage zones respectively, and one or more connective track segments interconnecting the first and second track areas through the portal(s). The RSRVs deposit and retrieve the storage units to and from the storage locations and travel on the first and second track areas via the connective track segment(s) to respectively access the first and second groups of storage locations therefrom.

The present application relates to a movable buffer, an automated material handling system and a corresponding overhead hoist transfer. The movable buffer includes: an inclined track including a first end and a second end opposite to each other, wherein the second end of the inclined track is higher than the first end of the inclined track; a storage tray connected to the inclined track, wherein the storage tray is provided with a space for accommodating a front opening unified pod, the storage tray is provided with at least one opening; and a transmission mechanism, wherein the upper surface of the transmission mechanism is connected to the lower surface of the overhead buffer, the lower surface of the transmission mechanism is connected to the inclined track, and the transmission mechanism is used for driving the storage tray to slide from the first end of the inclined track to the second end.

A system and method for picking items from storage containers located in stacks within a grid-based storage system are described. The system can include a movable structural member, movable from a first position to a second position such that when in the second position it is possible for an operative to access at least one row of storage containers such that items can be manually picked therefrom.

A fire extinguishing robotic service device is described for use with a robotic picking system grid. The fire extinguishing robotic service device is configured for driving to any location on the grid in order to extinguish a fire. The service device may also be provided with a camera sensor to locate the fire.

A storage system for storing product items includes a grid structure and a number of first storage bins configured to be stored in vertical stacks in the grid structure. Each first storage bin is configured to contain at least one product item. A vehicle is arranged to move horizontally at the top level of the grid structure, and further arranged to pick up, carry, and place the first storage bins at desired locations within the grid structure. The storage system further includes a robot device that includes a movable arm with a picking mechanism in one end thereof. The robot device is configured to move a storage item between a first location and a second location by means of its picking mechanism. The first location is the location of a first storage bin stored in the storage grid.