A load handling module for a material handling vehicle can include a first camera configured to determine the position of an object in a first camera field of view, and a second camera positioned above the first camera and configured to determine the position of an object in a second camera field of view. A fork tip sensor can be secured to at least one fork proximate the tip end thereof, and can be configured to detect the presence of an object within a fork sensor field of view extending in front of the fork. A controller can be in communication with the first sensor, the second sensor, and the fork tip sensor, the controller being configured to autonomously control the material handling vehicle to pick up or drop-off a load.

A drive unit of a robotic vehicle including a top surface having a mounting interface to interchangeably couple with multiple different modular payload structures configured to transport items in a facility, workspace or inventory management environment. The mounting interface is configured to securely engage with a mounting portion of the variety of different payload structures to enable a versatile exchange of the payload structure for different conveyance applications. The drive unit includes an electrical interface to communicatively couple with the modular payload structures. The drive unit is configured to use data communicated via the electrical coupling and interface to identify a type of modular payload structure that is mechanically coupled to the mounting interface and implement a motion profile (e.g., speed and acceleration parameters) associated with the identified modular payload structure.

The present invention relates to a driverless transport device (10) for transporting objects (38), comprising a support structure (12) with an outer contour (14), a chassis (16) fastened to the support structure (12) having at least a first wheel (18) and a second wheel (20), wherein the first wheel (18) is rotatably mounted in the chassis (16) about a first axis of rotation (D1) and the second wheel (20) is rotatably mounted in the chassis (16) about a second axis of rotation (D2), a drive unit (22) with which the first wheel (18) and the second wheel (20) can be driven independently of each other, and an expanding unit (98) with at least one expanding arm (100), wherein expanding arms (100) are adjustable by means of an adjustment unit (106) between a first position, in which the expanding arms (100) are located within the outer contour (14), and a second position, in which the expanding arms (100) project at least partially beyond the outer contour (14). Furthermore, the invention relates to a driverless transport system (81), comprising a plurality of such driverless transport devices (10).

(1) A Powered Industrial Truck (PIT) whereby the driver is positioned facing away from the rear-mounted mast and loading mechanism. This machine increases the operational field of view and awareness of surroundings during extended paths of transit in both warehouse and manufacturing facilities. Cameras, lights, and a dash-mounted display are utilized for assisting the operator with the loading and unloading of materials.

An operation assisting apparatus for a load handling vehicle conveying a load carried on a load handling apparatus includes a sensor, an object extraction unit configured to extract, as objects, a group of points representing parts of the objects from a result detected by the sensor in a coordinate system in a real space, a load handling space derivation unit configured to derive a load handling space occupied by the load during load handling work performed by the load handling apparatus in the coordinate system in the real space, a clearance derivation unit configured to derive a value of a clearance between the load handling space and an adjacent object adjacent to the load handling space, and an informing unit configured to inform an operator of the load handling vehicle of information about the value of the clearance.

An automated guided vehicle includes a main frame (1) and a sub-frame (2); wherein, a driving wheel assembly (11) is mounted on the main frame (1), a driven wheel assembly (21) or a driving wheel (11) is mounted on the sub-frame (2), and the main frame (1) is hinged to the sub-frame (2).

A transfer device includes: a pusher configured to push a container during a delivery operation; a lockable portion lockable to the container during a pick-up operation; a transfer drive unit configured to cause the pusher and the lockable portion to reciprocate in the transfer direction; and a lock drive unit configured to drive the lockable portion separately from the pusher and causes the lockable portion to change in orientation. The transfer device performs a delivery operation by moving, toward a delivery side in the transfer direction, the pusher in contact with a container rear face portion with use of the transfer drive unit, and performs a pick-up operation by moving the lockable portion in the locking orientation toward a pick-up side in the transfer direction with use of the transfer drive unit.

An electrical method for centering telehandler rear wheels preferably includes an electronic control module (ECM), a rear steering cylinder, a pair of rear centering valves, a front steering cylinder, a steer mode valve, at least one steering position sensor, a steering control unit and a mode selection switch. The front and rear steering cylinders are connected to the steer mode valve. The steering control unit directs hydraulic fluid from a hydraulic pump to flow into the front and rear steering cylinders to turn the wheels. A 2W steering mode requires that the rear wheels be straight before going from a 4W steering mode into the 2W steering mode. The ECM monitors a position of the rear wheels through the at least one steering position sensor. If the wheels are not straight, the ECM will open a centering valve to straighten the rear wheels, before going into the 2W steering mode.

An exemplary embodiment may provide a robotic powered cargo handling system. An embodiment may implement a pallet-lift mechanism to lift cargo or pallets. Powered rollers may be embedded into the forks of a pallet-lift mechanism and on top of the vehicle body. An exemplary embodiment may be fully autonomous. A user or software may direct the vehicle to a pallet or piece of cargo and set a destination for the cargo. Sensors, cameras, GPS, and computer vision may be implemented to navigate and avoid obstacles. An exemplary embodiment may include independent 4-wheel steering, 4 corner height adjustment, in-hub electric motors, and pneumatic or solid tires.

Load-handling vehicle (18) comprising a chassis (2), a pivoting lifting arm (3), a device (13) for measuring the inclination angle (Y) of the arm (3), an accessory (5) which can be positioned at the end of the arm (3), and at least one actuator (61, 62) which is coupled to the chassis (2) and to the arm (3), respectively. The vehicle (I) comprises: - a device (12) for measuring the load (R) exerted by the arm (3) on the pivot pin (4) of the arm (3), - a device (71, 72) for establishing the inclination angle (a; P) of each actuator (61, 62), a device (81, 82) for measuring the load (L; C) exerted by the actuators (61, 62) on the arm (3), - a weighing system (9) which can be activated/deactivated in accordance with the inclination angle (Y) of the arm (3) and comprises a data-processing unit (10) configured, in accordance with the data (R;L;C;Y,α;β,) supplied and the non-loaded weight of the assembly comprising the arm (3) and accessory (5), to establish the weight of the load (18) when the vehicle is loaded.