A processing system for processing objects using a programmable motion device is disclosed. The processing system includes a perception unit for perceiving identifying indicia representative of an identity of a plurality of objects received from an input conveyance system, and an acquisition system for acquiring an object from the plurality of objects at an input area using an end effector of the programmable motion device. The programmable motion device is adapted for assisting in the delivery of the object to an identified processing location. The identified processing location is associated with the identifying indicia and the identified processing location is provided as one of a plurality of processing locations. The system also includes a delivery system for receiving the object in a carrier and for delivering the object toward the identified processing location.

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for a load handling system such that direction change of a transporting device is more easily and quickly realised. A transporting device includes an omnidirectional driving unit, and is arranged to transport a container, the container being stored in a facility. The facility is arranged to store the container in a plurality of stacks, a plurality of pathways being arranged in cells so as to form a grid-like structure above the stacks, the transporting device being arranged to operate on the grid-like structure and to be driven in a first direction and/or second direction.

An automated storage and retrieval system includes at least one relay module for relaying storage containers between a port column and an access station. The relay module is arranged below a port column. The relay module includes a port station, a first conveyor, a second conveyor, each arranged at a side of the port station, and a lateral displacement device. The port station receives storage containers dropped off from and to be picked up through the port column. The first conveyor is adapted to transport storage containers to an access station. The second conveyor is adapted for transporting storage containers from the access station. The lateral displacement device is arranged to transport storage containers between the port station and the first conveyor, and between the second conveyor and the port station.

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for a load handling system such that direction change of a transporting device is more easily and quickly realised. A transporting device includes an omnidirectional driving unit, and is arranged to transport a container, the container being stored in a facility. The facility is arranged to store the container in a plurality of stacks, a plurality of pathways being arranged in cells so as to form a grid-like structure above the stacks, the transporting device being arranged to operate on the grid-like structure and to be driven in a first direction and/or second direction.

An automated storage and retrieval system includes at least one relay module for relaying storage containers between a port column and an access station. The relay module is arranged below a port column. The relay module includes a port station, a first conveyor, a second conveyor, each arranged at a side of the port station, and a lateral displacement device. The port station arranged at a lower end of the port column receives storage containers dropped off from and to be picked up through the port column. The first conveyor is adapted to transport storage containers to an access station. The second conveyor is adapted for transporting storage containers from the access station. The lateral displacement device is coupled to the port station and is arranged to transport storage containers between the port station and the first conveyor, and between the second conveyor and the port station.

The present invention provides a storage system comprising a storage grid comprising vertical column profiles defining a plurality of grid columns, the grid columns comprise storage columns, in which storage containers can be stored one on top of another in vertical stacks, the storage grid comprising at least one rail grid at the upper ends of the column profiles, a first container handling vehicle and a second container handling vehicle, the first and the second container handling vehicles each comprising at least one wheel base unit (2) and a first container handling module (13) or a second container handling module (12 or 14), respectively, connected to the wheel base unit 82), each wheel base unit (2) having a wheel arrangement for movement of the wheel base unit in two perpendicular directions upon a rail grid of the storage system, and a horizontal periphery fitting within the horizontal area defined by a grid cell of the rail grid such that wheel base units may pass each other on any adjacent grid cells of the rail grid, each of the wheel base units comprises an upper surface configured as a connecting interface for connection to any of the first and second container handling modules, and the first container handling module is a different type of container handling module to the second container handling module.

A transport vehicle (2) that travels along a container shelf (1) provided with a plurality of levels of shelf portions (11) arranged in a vertical direction (Z) and configured to support containers (W), thereby transporting the containers (W). The transport vehicle (2) is provided with a support region where a container (W) is supported, a first transfer apparatus (23) that inserts/takes the container (W) into/out of the container shelf (1), and a second transfer apparatus (24) that loads/unloads the container (W) on/from the support region. The second transfer apparatus (24) is configured such that a container (W) can be moved to the support region so as to allow a plurality of the containers (W) to be supported in a stacked state in the support region.

A control unit is provided to improve positioning of transporting devices to thereby allow transporting devices to be driven at faster speeds and/or accelerations with minimal positional errors allowing for a reduction in the spacing between transporting devices. A control unit is arranged to control movement of at least one transporting device for containers stored in a facility having a plurality of pathways arranged in cells so as to form a grid-like structure above the stacks which extends in a first direction and in a second direction. The control unit includes a receiving unit arranged to receive information from a first sensor mounted on the at least one transporting device, and a calculating unit arranged to calculate a position of the at least one transporting device based on the received information.

The invention concerns a service vehicle (2) for movement on a rail system (108). The service vehicle (2) comprises a container vehicle handling part (8) for mechanical interacting with a container handling vehicle (300) operating on the rail system (108), an operational part (3) for controlling operations of the service vehicle (2) and caterpillar tracks (6) for allowing movement of the service vehicle (2) on the rail system (108) during operation.

An automated storage and retrieval system includes a storage grid configured to store a plurality of storage containers in vertical stacks, a plurality of remotely operated vehicles, and a rail system including rails and tracks onto which the plurality of remotely operated vehicle operates. The automated storage and retrieval system includes a first area and a second area. The first area is linked to the second area for passage of one or more of the plurality of remotely operated vehicles by a vehicle pen. The vehicle pen includes an entry barrier and an exit barrier to regulate the passage of the of one or more vehicles between the first and second area. The entry and exit barriers are moveable between an open position in which passage of the one or more of the vehicles is allowed, and a closed position in which passage of the one or more vehicles is restricted. The entry and exit barriers are regulated such that the entrance barrier can be opened only when the exit barrier is closed, and vice versa.