An automated storage and retrieval system includes: a storage grid having storage columns arranged in rows, in which storage containers are stacked one on top of another; a rail system having a first set of parallel rails arranged in a horizontal plane and extending in a first direction, and a second set of parallel rails arranged in the horizontal plane and extending in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, which first and second sets of rails form a grid pattern in the horizontal plane having a plurality of adjacent grid cells; at least one container handling vehicle configured to move on the rail system, including a wheel arrangement configured to guide the at least one storage container vehicle along the rail system in at least one of the first direction and the second direction; and a service vehicle for movement on the rail system.

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.

Technologies for switching network traffic include a network switch. The network switch includes one or more processors and communication circuitry coupled to the one or more processors. The communication circuity is capable of switching network traffic of multiple link layer protocols. Additionally, the network switch includes one or more memory devices storing instructions that, when executed, cause the network switch to receive, with the communication circuitry through an optical connection, network traffic to be forwarded, and determine a link layer protocol of the received network traffic. The instructions additionally cause the network switch to forward the network traffic as a function of the determined link layer protocol. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

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.

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.

An order fulfillment system includes a storage structure and integrated turning decks enabling mobile robots to pass between sections of the storage structure or to exit or enter the storage structure. An automated dispensing portion may be affixed to a turning deck, which automated dispensing portion connects with a dispensing portal. Thus, the turning deck allows direct transport of mobile robots between the storage structure and the dispensing portal.

An order fulfillment system includes a storage structure for storing totes, workstations for processing customer orders and a staging and sequencing buffer having staging locations for storing the totes. The staging and sequencing buffer provides a buffer for totes as mobile robots transfer totes from the storage structure and to the one or more workstations.