An autonomous dock station system having an automated material lift truck (AMT), a pallet conveyor, and a facility guidance system can automatically load and/or unload a trailer at a dock station. The autonomous dock station system can coordinate these components according to a workflow procedure. In some embodiments, the workflow procedure can begin with the pallet conveyor supplying a loaded pallet to a specified position. The AMT, initially guided by fixed guidance elements of the facility guidance system, can lift the pallet off the conveyor and transport it to a trailer entrance where the AMT switches from the facility guidance system to a trailer guidance system. The AMT can then carry the pallet to an unloading position, move the pallet to one side of the trailer as needed, unload the pallet and return to the pallet conveyor. The workflow procedure can repeat until the trailer is full.

The present invention relates to a system for preventing semitrailer collisions with a loading ramp (10). The system comprises a sensor (100) and guide block (200). The sensor (100) is configured for sensing when the rear end of a semitrailer (12) is approaching a loading ramp (10). The guide block (200) is adapted to be positioned on the ground, and is here shown positioned laterally to the opening of the loading ramp (10). The guide block (200) comprises wheel blocking means (210) configured for supporting the tread of a rear tire of the semitrailer (12). The wheel blocking means (210) is configured to move from a forwarded position relative to the loading ramp (10) to a retracted position relative to the loading ramp (10) as the semitrailer (12) is reversing towards said loading ramp (10). The sensor (100) is configured to send a blocking signal to the guide block (200) when the distance between the rear end of the semitrailer (12) and the loading ramp (10) is below a preset threshold, thereby blocking the movement of the wheel blocking means (210).

Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed for sensing RIG positioning and vehicle restraint movement. An example method includes determining a presence of a RIG and enabling a barrier to move to an operational position when the RIG is present.

Systems and associated methods for controlling operation of loading dock equipment are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the system and associated methods can be used to control operation of loading dock equipment (e.g., a vehicle restraint, a dock door, a dock leveler, etc.) according to a preset sequence of operations. The system can include a display screen that sequentially presents a series of graphical control elements (e.g., touch-sensitive buttons) that enable operation of the loading dock equipment in an appropriate sequence. Additionally, the visual appearance and/or sequence of presentation of the graphical control elements indicate the proper sequence of selection to the user, thereby reducing user confusion and simplifying the operation of the loading dock equipment.

The invention relates to a method (2) for safeguarding a logistics area (100), comprising the steps: monitoring a first control zone (9a); detecting whether a first vehicle module (23a) is present in the control zone (9a), wherein the first vehicle module (23a) is matched to the control antenna unit (15a, 15b); setting a safety status indicator (IS) in a first vehicle processing unit (25a) of the first vehicle module (23a) in response to detecting the first vehicle module (23a) in the control zone (9a, 9b); maintaining the safety status indicator (IS) in the first vehicle processing unit (25a), even when the first vehicle module (23a) is leaving the control zone (9a, 9b); monitoring an enabling zone (13); detecting whether the first vehicle module (23a) is present in the enabling zone (13), and deleting the first safety status indicator (IS) when it is detected that the first vehicle module (23a) is present in the enabling zone (13). The invention further relates to a logistics safety system (1), the use of a logistics safety system (1) and a computer program.

A loading-dock signaling system includes an internal signal light, an external signal light and a wheel chock having a base and a handle extending from the base. A chock signal light is positioned on the handle. The internal signal light, the external signal light and the chock signal light are in signal communication with one another to provide at least a plurality of illuminated indicia to an exterior dock area and an interior dock area. The exterior dock area and the interior dock area are separated by a dock door.

The invention relates to an automated transfer assembly for transferring goods, having a frame, having a repositioning installation which for repositioning the frame is disposed on the frame, and having a gripping device which for gripping an item of goods is in connection with the frame. The gripping device comprises a first gripper arm installation for engaging on the item of goods to be gripped, and a second gripper arm installation for engaging on the item of goods to be gripped, said second gripper arm installation being spaced apart from the first gripper arm installation. The transfer assembly furthermore has a control unit for controlling automated gripping of the item of goods to be gripped by means of the gripping device.

A system and method for operation of an autonomous vehicle (AV) yard truck is provided. A processor facilitates autonomous movement of the AV yard truck, and connection to and disconnection from trailers. A plurality of sensors are interconnected with the processor that sense terrain/objects and assist in automatically connecting/disconnecting trailers. A server, interconnected, wirelessly with the processor, that tracks movement of the truck around and determines locations for trailer connection and disconnection. A door station unlatches/opens rear doors of the trailer when adjacent thereto, securing them in an opened position via clamps, etc. The system computes a height of the trailer, and/or if landing gear of the trailer is on the ground and interoperates with the fifth wheel to change height, and whether docking is safe, allowing a user to take manual control, and optimum charge time(s). Reversing sensors/safety, automated chocking, and intermodal container organization are also provided.

A system and method for operation of an autonomous vehicle (AV) yard truck is provided. A processor facilitates autonomous movement of the AV yard truck, and connection to and disconnection from trailers. A plurality of sensors are interconnected with the processor that sense terrain/objects and assist in automatically connecting/disconnecting trailers. A server, interconnected, wirelessly with the processor, that tracks movement of the truck around and determines locations for trailer connection and disconnection. A door station unlatches/opens rear doors of the trailer when adjacent thereto, securing them in an opened position via clamps, etc. The system computes a height of the trailer, and/or if landing gear of the trailer is on the ground and interoperates with the fifth wheel to change height, and whether docking is safe, allowing a user to take manual control, and optimum charge time(s). Reversing sensors/safety, automated chocking, and intermodal container organization are also provided.

The invention discloses a method, system and related device of implementing vehicle automatic loading and unloading, so as to achieve the automatic loading and unloading of the unmanned vehicle. The method includes: controlling, by a vehicle controller, a vehicle to drive automatically and stop at a loading and unloading position; obtaining, by a loading and unloading control apparatus corresponding to the loading and unloading position, vehicle identification information of the vehicle; verifying the vehicle identification information and controlling a loading and unloading machine to load and unload when the verification succeeds; sending a loading and unloading completion indication to the vehicle controller after the loading and unloading is completed; and controlling, by the vehicle controller, the vehicle to leave the loading and unloading position when receiving the loading and unloading completion indication.