A transport and manipulation system has an activity area in which a provisioning device is arranged which includes takeover and handover stations. The activity area includes a working area in which static workstations for manually executing processing orders are arranged, and a travel area, in which autonomous transport vehicles can move. Each transport vehicle is configured for automatically taking over a load carrier at the takeover station according to a transport order received, transporting it to a workstation and dispensing it there, or taking it over at the workstation, transporting it to the handover station and dispensing it there. The travel area includes first and second travel sections defining therein first and second travel speeds, respectively. The second travel speed is higher than the first travel speed. The second travel section is bounded against the first travel section, wherein transport vehicles can pass the boundary at a passing zone.

A system and methods for utilizing a grid storage array for high rate picking in a micro-fulfilment facility. The system includes a grid storage array and multiple transfer ports that are dedicated to a particular directional function, i.e. discharge ports and intake ports. The system includes a multi-function workstation that can operate as either a picking station or a decant station. A conveyor loop is provided and includes right-angle-transfers (RATs) and accumulators to transport and sequence the flow of storage bins and order totes. The combination and configuration of the grid storage array, conveyor loop, and multi-function workstation optimizes space utilization which is particularly beneficial in micro-fulfilment facilities where space is at a premium.

Storage containers may be stored a storage system including a framework structure. A robotic consolidation station for use in the storage system includes a first conveyor pathway for transfer of storage containers accommodating items to be picked, a second conveyor pathway for transfer of storage containers in which items are to be consolidated or have been consolidated, and a robotic picking arm arranged to reach the first conveyor pathway and the second conveyor pathway. Each of the first conveyor pathway and the second conveyor pathway includes a first end and a second end. Each first end may be operatively connected to a container outlet of the framework structure for transfer of storage containers from the framework structure and each second end may be operatively connected to a container inlet of the framework structure for transfer of storage containers into the framework structure. The first conveyor pathway includes a picking section. The second conveyor pathway includes a consolidation section. The robotic picking arm is arranged such that items may be picked from a first storage container arranged upon the picking section by use of the robotic picking arm and transferred to a second storage container arranged upon the consolidation section by use of the robotic picking arm. The first conveyor pathway is independently operable of the consolidation section and arranged such that a first storage container may be transferred from a container outlet to a container inlet via the picking section while a second storage container is arranged upon the consolidation section.

A vehicle body frame includes a first rib protruding from a bottom surface portion toward an upper side and extending along a first direction. A vehicle body cover includes a second rib protruding from a top surface portion toward a lower side and extending along a second direction. A lower frame portion of a holding member that holds a power storage body includes a first recessed groove portion recessed from a lower end surface toward the upper side and extending along the first direction. An upper frame portion of the holding member includes a second recessed groove portion recessed from an upper end surface toward the lower side and extending along the second direction. A power storage unit is sandwiched between the bottom surface portion of the vehicle body frame and the top surface portion of the vehicle body cover.

A placement body on which an article is placed is driven by a transfer drive mechanism to transfer the article. The transfer drive mechanism includes a transfer drive source and a transmission mechanism. The transmission mechanism includes an output member coupled to an output shaft of the transfer drive source and a driven member that is not coupled to the output member and operates by being pressed by the output member. A wheel drive source, the transfer drive source, and the output member are supported by a vehicle body frame, and the placement body and the driven member are supported by a vehicle body cover. The vehicle body cover covers the wheel drive source and the transfer drive source and is detachably attached to the vehicle body frame.

A swing arm changes a position of a placement surface of a placement body between a horizontal position and a tilted position by swinging between a reference position at which the swing arm extends along an opposing surface facing a lower surface of the placement body and a standing position at which the swing arm is tilted relative to the opposing surface. The opposing surface is provided with a guide member configured to guide swinging movement of the swing arm, and the guide member is configured to support the swing arm by sandwiching the swing arm from both sides in an axial direction within a prescribed guide range including the reference position in a total swing range of the swing arm.

A frame unit includes door members that are provided in correspondence with openings and change in orientation between an open orientation in which the openings are open and a closed orientation in which the openings are closed, and a door drive section that drives the door members in order to cause the door members to change in orientation. The door drive section includes a drive source and a transmission mechanism that transmits driving power from the drive source to the door members.

A processing system for processing objects using a programmable motion device is disclosed. The processing system includes a plurality of supply bins providing supply of a plurality of objects, with the plurality of supply bins being provided with a bin conveyance system, a programmable motion device in communication with the bin conveyance system, where the programmable motion device includes an end effector for grasping and moving a selected object out of a selected supply bin, and a movable carriage for receiving the selected object from the end effector of the programmable motion device, and for carrying the selected object to one of a plurality of destination containers.

A container handling vehicle for picking up storage containers from a three-dimensional grid of an underlying storage system includes a first set of wheels, arranged at opposite portions of a vehicle body of the container handling vehicle, for moving the vehicle along a first direction on a rail system of the grid; and a second set of wheels, arranged at opposite portions of the vehicle body, for moving the vehicle along a second direction on the rail system of the grid. The second direction is being perpendicular to the first direction. The vehicle body includes walls on all sides forming a footprint defined by horizontal peripheries in the first and second directions of the vehicle body. The container handling vehicle further includes a first section and a second section arranged side-by-side such that a centre point of a footprint of the first section is arranged off centre relative a centre point of the footprint of the vehicle body, and a size ratio of the footprint of the first section relative a footprint of the second section is at least 2:1. The first section is configured to accommodate a storage container, and the second section includes an assembly of motors for driving at least one wheel of each of the sets of wheels.

An apparatus serves to provide individual products of a plurality of orders at a packing station of an overhead conveyor installation in an order-related manner. The apparatus has a conveyor track with a conveyor system for conveying the individual products in a suspended manner, an unloading station for unloading the individual products, a feed opening for feeding the individual products, and a discharge opening connected to said feed opening in a conveying manner, the discharge opening being configured to provide individual products of a first order at the packing station, and a parking area for parking individual products of a second order at the packing station.