Methods and apparatuses are provided for use in monitor power levels at a shopping facility, comprising: central control system separate and distinct from a plurality of self-propelled motorized transport units, wherein the central control system comprises: a transceiver configured to wirelessly receive communications from the plurality of motorized transport units; a control circuit coupled with the transceiver; and a memory coupled to the control circuit and storing computer instructions that cause the control circuit to: identify available stored power levels at each of the plurality of motorized transport units; identify an available recharge station, of a plurality of recharge stations distributed throughout the shopping facility, at least relative to a location of the first motorized transport unit intended to be subjected to recharging; and wirelessly communicate one or more instructions to cause the first motorized transport unit to cooperate with an available recharge station.

System, apparatuses, and methods for bringing a shopping container to a customer in a shopping space are provided. A system for bringing a shopping container to a customer in a shopping space comprises a plurality of sensors, a plurality of motorized transport units, and a control circuit. The control circuit being configured to: receive a shopping container request from a user interface device associated with the customer, determine at least one available shopping container based on data collected by the plurality of sensors, the at least one available shopping container being empty and not used by another customer, select an available shopping container based at least on a location information of the user interface device, select a motorized transport unit to transport the available shopping container, and provide instructions to the motorized transport unit to bring the available shopping container to the customer.

System, apparatuses, and methods for bringing a shopping container to a customer in a shopping space are provided. A system for bringing a shopping container to a customer in a shopping space comprises a plurality of sensors, a plurality of motorized transport units, and a control circuit. The control circuit being configured to: receive a shopping container request from a user interface device associated with the customer, determine at least one available shopping container based on data collected by the plurality of sensors, the at least one available shopping container being empty and not used by another customer, select an available shopping container based at least on a location information of the user interface device, select a motorized transport unit to transport the available shopping container, and provide instructions to the motorized transport unit to bring the available shopping container to the customer.

Some embodiments include apparatuses providing control over movement of motorized transport units at a shopping facility, comprising: multiple self-propelled motorized transport units; a wireless communication network; and a central computer system, wherein the central computer system comprises: a transceiver; a control circuit; and a memory storing computer instructions that when executed cause the control circuit to: receive an override command, from a worker associated with the shopping facility, to cause a first motorized transport unit of the multiple motorized transport units to implement one or more actions; confirm a valid authorization of the worker to override one or more operating limits of the first motorized transport unit; and override the one or more operating limits and communicate one or more instructions to the first motorized transport unit configured to cause the first motorized transport unit to implement the one or more actions in accordance with the override command.

Some embodiments include apparatuses providing control over movement of motorized transport units at a shopping facility, comprising: multiple self-propelled motorized transport units; a wireless communication network; and a central computer system, wherein the central computer system comprises: a transceiver; a control circuit; and a memory storing computer instructions that when executed cause the control circuit to: receive an override command, from a worker associated with the shopping facility, to cause a first motorized transport unit of the multiple motorized transport units to implement one or more actions; confirm a valid authorization of the worker to override one or more operating limits of the first motorized transport unit; and override the one or more operating limits and communicate one or more instructions to the first motorized transport unit configured to cause the first motorized transport unit to implement the one or more actions in accordance with the override command.

A mechanism for keeping shopping carts within a storage area and a system for storing shopping carts are described herein. The mechanism includes a mechanical stop disposed at or near the ground at an opening of a storage area that is configured to store a plurality of shopping carts, the mechanical stop being moveable from an upward locked position to a downward unlocked position, the mechanical stop being configured to engage one or more wheels of a shopping cart to keep the shopping cart inside the storage area. The mechanism further includes a release mechanism operatively linked to the mechanical stop, the release mechanism being configured to move the mechanical stop from the upward locked position to the downward unlocked position.

A mechanism for keeping shopping carts within a storage area and a system for storing shopping carts are described herein. The mechanism includes a mechanical stop disposed at or near the ground at an opening of a storage area that is configured to store a plurality of shopping carts, the mechanical stop being moveable from an upward locked position to a downward unlocked position, the mechanical stop being configured to engage one or more wheels of a shopping cart to keep the shopping cart inside the storage area. The mechanism further includes a release mechanism operatively linked to the mechanical stop, the release mechanism being configured to move the mechanical stop from the upward locked position to the downward unlocked position.

In an embodiment a locking device for a first transport carriage includes a gripping arm configured to lock a key of a second transport carriage, a slide, an electric motor and/or an actuator configured to drive an eccentric disc for initiating a release movement of the slide, a receiver configured to receive a Bluetooth, Near Field Communication or WLAN signal from a transmitter, wherein the receiver is configured to control the motor or the actuator via an electrical or electromagnetic signal, wherein the slide is configured to release the key based on the initiated release movement when the electric motor and/or the actuator receives the electrical or electromagnetic signal.

In an embodiment a locking device for a first transport carriage includes a gripping arm configured to lock a key of a second transport carriage, a slide, an electric motor and/or an actuator configured to drive an eccentric disc for initiating a release movement of the slide, a receiver configured to receive a Bluetooth, Near Field Communication or WLAN signal from a transmitter, wherein the receiver is configured to control the motor or the actuator via an electrical or electromagnetic signal, wherein the slide is configured to release the key based on the initiated release movement when the electric motor and/or the actuator receives the electrical or electromagnetic signal.

Apparatuses, components and methods are provided herein useful to provide assistance to customers and/or workers in a shopping facility. In some embodiments, a shopping facility personal assistance system comprises: a plurality of motorized transport units located in and configured to move through a shopping facility space; a plurality of user interface units, each corresponding to a respective motorized transport unit during use of the respective motorized transport unit; and a central computer system having a network interface such that the central computer system wirelessly communicates with one or both of the plurality of motorized transport units and the plurality of user interface units, wherein the central computer system is configured to control movement of the plurality of motorized transport units through the shopping facility space based at least on inputs from the plurality of user interface units.