An automated inventory system which enables secure and highly mobile inventory storage. The system comprises a standardized shipping container which houses a plurality of storage locations for storing inventory items in the shipping container. An order picking device is positioned inside the shipping container to move one or more selected inventory items, and a secured inventory portal subsystem is attached to a wall of the shipping container. The portal subsystem comprises an operator station for a user to order and collect the one or more selected inventory items through operation of the order picking device.

A method and system for obtaining an identifier from an item is disclosed. The method includes autonomously operate a robotic structure to move an item along a predetermined path from a source location to a destination location, and autonomously operating the robotic structure to place the item at the destination location based at least in part on the plan. The item comprises one or more identifiers, and in response to a determination that at least one of the one or more identifiers was not obtained by one or more sensors, an active measure is performed to cause the one or more sensors to obtain the at least one identifier that was not obtained. The predetermined path corresponds to a path along which the item is moved from the source location to the destination location. The predetermined path is planned so that the item is moved within a threshold range of the one or more sensors while the item is moved along the predetermined path.

Methods and apparatus for selecting and combining items in an outbound container through the use of autonomous vehicles, each of which includes means for automatically loading and unloading a payload, to perform both transfer and transport functions in moving containers of items within a workspace via a network of roadways. Under computer control, said autonomous vehicles transfer and transport case containers of item units between incoming receiving stations, intermediate storage locations, and outgoing order-assembly stations where entire containers or individual item units are combined in the outbound container.

Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for concentric suction cup tools with parallel pistons. In one embodiment, an example picking assembly may include a first piston subassembly with a first air cylinder, a first sliding rail that slides relative to the first air cylinder, and a first suction cup. The example picking assembly may include a second piston subassembly comprising a second air cylinder, a second sliding rail that slides relative to the second air cylinder, and a second suction cup, where the first and second piston subassemblies may be configured to independently actuate from a retracted position to an extended position. The example picking assembly may include a first guide plate with a first aperture for the first piston subassembly and a second aperture for the second piston subassembly, a shell that forms a housing for the picking assembly, and an airflow coupler.

Methods and apparatus for selecting and combining items in an outbound container through the use of autonomous vehicles, each of which includes means for automatically loading and unloading a payload, to perform both transfer and transport functions in moving containers of items within a workspace via a network of roadways. Under computer control, said autonomous vehicles transfer and transport case containers of item units between incoming receiving stations, intermediate storage locations, and outgoing order-assembly stations where entire containers or individual item units are combined in the outbound container.

A method for operating a robotic system includes determining a discretized object model representative of a target object; determining a discretized platform model representative of a task location; determining height measures based on real-time sensor data representative of the task location; and dynamically deriving a placement location based on (1) overlapping the discretized object model and the discretized platform model for stacking objects at the task location and (2) calculating a placement score associated with the overlapping based on the height measures.

A storage, retrieval and processing system is disclosed for processing objects. The system includes a plurality of bins including objects to be distributed by the processing system, said plurality of bins being provided in at least a partially generally circular arrangement, a programmable motion device that includes an end effector for grasping and moving any of the objects, said programmable motion device being capable of reaching any of the objects within the plurality of bins, and a plurality of destination containers for receiving any of the objects from the plurality of bins, said plurality of destination containers being provided in a region that is generally within the at least partially generally circular arrangement of the plurality of bins.

Systems and methods can enhance efficiencies of order fulfillment processes. For example, this document describes systems and methods for optimizing the efficiency of multiple order sortation process lines to expedite order processing in a cost-effective manner. In some embodiments, this innovation includes an efficient method for loading or filling the capacity of multiple parallel order sortation process lines so that they operate at peak efficiently and the operators are utilized at a high level. Additionally, the systems and methods promote efficiency enhancements of order sortation equipment by reducing the potential for downtime due to material flow interferences.

An automated in-rack picking solution enables improved efficiency by permitting automatic reconfiguration of automated picking system (APS) deployments within an automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS). The storage volume of an ASRS can be more thoroughly utilized, even with a smaller number of APSs, when at least one APS is operable to autonomously relocate within the ASRS based at least on a stored item's location and/or property (e.g., suitability for handling by a particular end effector). An exemplary solution includes an APS positioned to reach stored items within a first subset of storage locations when affixed to a first attachment point; a transport component operable to relocate the APS to a second attachment point, wherein the APS is positioned to reach stored items within a second subset of the storage locations when affixed to the second attachment point; and a controller operable to instruct relocation of the APS.

A plant for forming pallets, comprising: an entry station (2); a plurality of picking areas (4), one or more autonomous entry vehicles (3), each of which is arranged to withdraw at least one entry pallet (Pi) from the entry station (2) and to lead the withdrawn pallet (Pi) to a given picking area (4); a plurality of release areas (5), at least one manipulator (6), structured to withdraw a package (C) from an entry pallet (Pi) and to position the package (C) on an exit pallet (Pu) positioned in a release area (5); an exit station (7); one or more autonomous exit vehicles (8), each of which is arranged to withdraw at least one exit pallet (Pu) from the release area (5) and to lead the withdrawn pallet (Pu) to the exit station (7) or to a subsequent release area (5).

The manipulator (6) is movable along a path (61) parallel to a main direction (X) between at least two extreme positions. The picking areas (4) are distributed on one side of the path (61), in a position reachable by the manipulator (6). The release areas are distributed on the opposite side of the path (61) with respect to the picking areas (4), in a position reachable by the manipulator (6).