Automated, environmentally monitored and controlled storage units and systems for storing, monitoring, and maintaining a supply of products, particularly temperature sensitive pharmaceutical and/or other high-value products, be they temperature sensitive or not. Such automated storage units contain an array of independently addressable holding locations for containers with product in one or more environmentally monitored (e.g., for temperature, humidity, etc.) and controlled zones fitted with appropriate environmental sensors. In preferred embodiments, the automated storage units also include a reader to track product information and status. Product loading, retrieval, and movement within such automated storage units is performed by a computer-controlled robot. A user interface device, preferably in communication with an application service provider to provide remotely managed inventory management and other services, provides users with inventory- and product-specific information.

An automated storage and retrieval system including at least one autonomous transport vehicle, a transfer deck that defines a transport surface for the vehicle, at least one reciprocating lift, a first and second pickface interface station connected to the deck and spaced apart from each other, each station forming a pickface transfer interfacing between the vehicle on the deck and the lift at each station so that a pickface is transferred between the lift and the vehicle at each station, wherein the vehicle is configured to pick a first pickface at the first station, traverse the deck and buffer the first pickface, or at least a portion thereof, at the second station so that the second station has multiple pickfaces buffered on a common support in an order sequence of pickfaces according to a predetermined case out order sequence of mixed case pickfaces.

A multitasking crane includes a travelling device, load tables that are lifted and lowered independently of each other and disposed in two columns arranged in a travelling direction and at least one transfer device that is provided on each of the load tables and is configured to deliver the merchandise trays. The transfer device of the load table for picking is actuated to pick at least one of the merchandise trays that has been specified, and at the same time, at least one of the merchandise trays that is previously placed on the transfer device of the load table for storage is moved to empty one of the storage shelves of the automated warehouse and stored.

Various embodiments relate to magnetically moveable displacement devices or robotic devices. Particular embodiments provide systems and corresponding methods for magnetically moving multiple movable robots relative to one or more working surfaces of respective one or more work bodies, and for moving robots between the one or more work bodies via transfer devices. Robots can carry one or more objects among different locations, manipulate carried objects, and/or interact with their surroundings for particular functionality including but not limited to assembly, packaging, inspection, 3D printing, test, laboratory automation, etc. A mechanical link may be mounted on planar motion units such as said robots.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for storing and fully automatic output of a multiplicity of different products having substantially cuboid geometry, such as packaged CDs, DVDs, printer cartridges, books, etc., comprising at least one permanently installed storage rack for stocking the multiplicity of products, at least one selection station for selecting, from the multiplicity of stocked products, one product to be output by the apparatus at a product output point, at least one handling device that is movable relative to the at least one storage rack for retrieval of a selected product from the at least one storage rack and for transport of the product in question to a product output point of the apparatus, and at least one computer-assisted control unit for controlling the apparatus and its components.

A transport system includes a transport robot configured to transport an item picked up from a shelving unit or to be stored into the shelving unit, wherein: the transport robot includes a placing table on which the item is to be placed, and a lifting mechanism configured to lift and lower the placing table; and the placing table includes an engaging portion configured to engage with the shelving unit.

The present disclosure relates to a method for retrieving medication packages from a pharmacy order-picking device. In modern pharmacy order-picking devices, medication packages are stored for space optimization, which can cause a number of heavy packages to be stored on one shelf, causing the shelf to bend, which may prevent retrieval. In the method according to the disclosure, an operating device (20) is displaced in a displacement position to a predetermined shelf position, at least one medication package (30) on a shelf (11) belonging to the shelf position is moved with a gripping device (22) in the direction of a support (21) and it is then checked whether the at least one medication package (30) has moved fully onto the support (21). If the check has a negative outcome, an edge (11″, 11′″) of the shelf (11) on which the at least one medication package is stored is detected with a sensor (23) of the operating device (20) and said operating device (20) is displaced to a corresponding shelf position, the gripping device (22) having been brought into the displacement position before displacement.

According to one embodiment, a cargo handling apparatus includes a first mechanism, a second mechanism, a holding unit, a third mechanism, a fourth mechanism and a conveyor. The first mechanism is movable in a first direction. The second mechanism is connected to the first mechanism and is movable on a first horizontal plane intersecting the first direction. The holding unit is connected to the second mechanism and holds an object to be picked up. The third mechanism is arranged below the first mechanism, the second mechanism and the holding unit, and is movable in the first direction. The fourth mechanism is connected to the third mechanism and is movable on a second horizontal plane opposed to the first horizontal plane. The conveyor is connected to the fourth mechanism, and loads and conveys the object held by the holding unit.

An opening-closing control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is an opening-closing control device of a door of an accommodating portion to and from which a robot loads and unloads an object, in which the opening-closing control device includes: a state acquisition unit that acquires a state of the robot; and a control unit that controls a drive unit of the door for opening and closing the door based on the state of the robot.

An article transportation system, including at least one access vehicle (1) and at least one transport vehicle (2), each access vehicle (1) is provided with a first drive assembly, and each transport vehicle (2) is provided with a second drive assembly; the first drive assembly is configured to drive the access vehicle (1) to travel on a preset plane and in a vertical direction, and the second drive assembly is configured to drive the transport vehicle (2) to travel on the preset plane; the access vehicle (1) or the transport vehicle (2) is provided with a transfer assembly (3); where the transfer assembly (3) is configured to transfer an article from one of the access vehicle (1) and the transport vehicle (2) to the other one when the access vehicle (1) and the transport vehicle (2) travel to a same position.