An automated storage system for storing large quantities of samples in trays includes a storage compartment, a tray shuttle compartment abutting the storage compartment on one side and a plurality of independent modules on the other side. The modules perform processing of samples that are retrieved from the storage compartment by a tray shuttle, including extraction of selected samples from retrieved source trays and transfer of the selected samples into a separate, destination tray that can be further processed or removed from the system for use. The independent operation of the modules permits handling and processing to be performed simultaneously by different modules while the tray shuttle accesses additional samples within the storage compartment. In one embodiment, a vertical carousel is used to vertically align a desired tray with the tray shuttle, while the tray shuttle operates within a horizontal plane.

-- A container retrieval apparatus includes: a warehouse arranged inside a body and provided with a goods inlet; an extendable device having extendable arms arranged on two opposite sides of the goods inlet, each extendable arm having at least three arms capable of sliding relatively and extending in a first direction corresponding to a goods inlet and outlet direction of the warehouse, first arm sections of the arms are slidably connected to the body, and tail ends of tail arm sections that are away from the body are provided with shifting finger structures; a driving device including a driving assembly for driving the first arm sections to slide relative to the body, and a linkage mechanism for driving linkage between adj acent arms in each extendable arm; and a control device which controls the shifting finger structure to rotate to a position where a container to be carried can be shifted. --

A traveling platform includes a side arm, a first guide, and two or more travel auxiliary rollers. The side arm expands and retracts in a Y direction. The first guide extends in an X direction and includes a third inside surface to guide the side arm in the X direction. The two or more travel auxiliary rollers are provided to the first guide and restrict movement of the traveling platform in the Y direction.

Load-receiving device (1) for storing a cuboidal load (2) in a rack and for retrieving it therefrom, comprising two extendable telescopic arms (3, 4) which are spaced apart in parallel and on which there are arranged drivers (30, 40, 31, 41, 32, 42) situated opposite one another in pairs, which drivers can be pivoted into a swung-up position and into a position projecting at a right angle thereto, wherein the distance (d) between the telescopic arms (3, 4) is fixed or can be set in dependence on the width of the load. There is provision that each of the drivers (30, 40) situated opposite one another in pairs can be pivoted independently of the respective opposite driver, and/or that at least one of the drivers (30, 40) can be pivoted into at least one oblique intermediate position, that at least two mutually opposite edge detectors (300, 400, 302, 402) are arranged on the telescopic arms (3, 4) and are assigned to two mutually opposite drivers (30, 40, 32, 42), and that the drivers (30, 40) can be pivoted independently of one another in dependence on the output signal from the edge detectors (300, 400, 302, 402).

A rack device (10) for storing and retrieving storage goods (26) in and from rack compartments, wherein the storage and retrieval is performed automatically by means of a storage and retrieval device (42), wherein the storage and retrieval device (42) comprises a load-handling device (54) having at least one gripping arm (56), wherein the gripping arm (56) is moveable, preferably only, in a depth direction (Z) of the rack compartments and comprises a gripping device (58) which allows the storage goods (26) to be moved, in an active position of the gripping device (58), along the depth direction (Z) into the rack compartments and to be removed from the rack compartments, wherein the gripping arm (56) comprises a first guiding device, wherein the rack device (10) comprises: a plurality of rack compartments, wherein each of the rack compartments comprises a shelf and at least two depth supports (28) extending, in particular in parallel to each other, along the depth direction (Z) and being arranged distanced to each other in a longitudinal direction (X) of the rack compartments, thereby defining a, preferably multiple deep, storage location (24) therebetween; wherein each of the depth supports (28) comprises a second guiding device, which extends in the depth direction (Z) and which is configured to cooperate with the first guiding device of the gripping arm (56) such that the gripping arm (56), during storage or retrieval, is in contact with the depth support (28) via the guiding devices and is guided in the depth direction (Z) in a moveable manner along the depth support (28).

A shuttle vehicle is provided for transporting stored goods in a shelving system. The shuttle vehicle includes a running gear having wheels mounted thereon in order to move the shuttle vehicle along guide rails of the shelving system. A telescopic system is movably guided at the running gear, which can be retracted and extended relative to the running gear in a plane in a self-supporting manner on both sides of the running gear A lifting system is provided for raising and lowering the telescopic system relative to the guide rails of the shelving system. A shelving system is also provided which uses the shuttle system.

Provided is a system including a platform to receive unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) thereon for launching and retrieving the UAVs, and a method therefor. The system can include a pair of gantry arms that move to any location along the platform to position a UAV as desired. The platform includes a door that can open to expose a storage area in the system to receive and store UAVs, as well as to re-charge power in the UAVs. The storage area can include a plurality of cells that can be adjusted to receive a UAV of any size for storage therein.

A method and system are provided for automatically handling a plurality of product containers. The method comprises the steps of: providing a container shifting apparatus including at least one platform for temporarily hosting containers to be transferred, moving the platform along a conveyor device and a shelving unit, and driving shifting means for shifting containers from the conveyor device to the shelving unit, and vice-versa, via the platform.

A method for retrieving an inventory item based on a handling robot, where the handling robot includes: a storage frame; and a material handling device installed on the storage frame, and including a telescopic arm and a manipulator installed to the telescopic arm; and the method for retrieving an inventory item includes: driving, by the telescopic arm, the manipulator to extend to a preset position of warehouse shelf along a preset horizontal reference line; loading, by the manipulator that is remained on the reference line, the inventory item located in the preset position; driving, by the telescopic arm, the manipulator loaded with the inventory item to move to the storage frame along the reference line; and unloading, by the manipulator that is remained on the reference line, the inventory item to the storage frame.

Systems and methods include UAVs that serve to assist carrier personnel by reducing the physical demands of the transportation and delivery process. A UAV generally includes a UAV chassis including an upper portion, a plurality of propulsion members configured to provide lift to the UAV chassis, and a parcel carrier configured for being selectively coupled to and removed from the UAV chassis. UAV support mechanisms are utilized to load and unload parcel carriers to the UAV chassis, and the UAV lands on and takes off from the UAV support mechanism to deliver parcels to a serviceable point. The UAV includes computing entities that interface with different systems and computing entities to send and receive various types of information.