Disclosed is a method, system, and computer readable medium including program instructions for controlling the braking of one or more vehicles in a vehicle system positioned for unloading/loading of cargo. The vehicle system includes a designated head-end and a tail-end and each of the one or more vehicles is equipped with an electronic braking system in communication with a central control via a communication network spanning across the vehicle system. A dynamic unloading/loading braking profile can be set on at least one electronic braking system on at least one vehicle. During unloading/loading of the cargo from one or more vehicles in the vehicle system, the braking on at least one of the vehicles in the vehicle system is controlled via the dynamic unloading/loading braking profile.

Disclosed is a method, system, and computer readable medium including program instructions for controlling the braking of one or more vehicles in a vehicle system positioned for unloading/loading of cargo. The vehicle system includes a designated head-end and a tail-end and each of the one or more vehicles is equipped with an electronic braking system in communication with a central control via a communication network spanning across the vehicle system. A dynamic unloading/loading braking profile can be set on at least one electronic braking system on at least one vehicle. During unloading/loading of the cargo from one or more vehicles in the vehicle system, the braking on at least one of the vehicles in the vehicle system is controlled via the dynamic unloading/loading braking profile.

A method for automated unloading of items from a container includes moving a nose ramp of an unloader under a base belt, which is positioned over a floor of the container. A stack of items are located in the container over the base belt. The method includes removing items from a bottom of the stack of items via an extraction conveyor of the unloader. The method also includes measuring a density of items transitioning onto the extraction conveyor from the base belt. The method further includes controlling an unloader advance speed relative to the container in dependence of the measured density of items transitioning onto the extraction conveyor. Thereby, a bulk flow of items having a substantially steady density is delivered by an output conveyor of the unloader positioned downstream of the extraction conveyor.

An automatic storage and retrieval system includes: a delivery vehicle; a storage container carried by the delivery vehicle; and an unloading station for unloading an item from the storage container while it is being carried by the delivery vehicle. The unloading station includes: an unloading device; and a destination conveyor configured to convey the item to a target destination, wherein the unloading device is configured to move the item through a side opening of the storage container to the destination conveyor.

An automatic storage and retrieval system includes: a delivery vehicle; a storage container carried by the delivery vehicle; and an unloading station for unloading an item from the storage container while it is being carried by the delivery vehicle. The unloading station includes: an unloading device; and a destination conveyor configured to convey the item to a target destination, wherein the unloading device is configured to move the item through a side opening of the storage container to the destination conveyor.

A modular mobility base for a modular autonomous bot apparatus transporting an item being shipped including a mobile base platform, a component alignment interface, a mobility controller, a propulsion and steering system, and sensors. The component alignment interface provides an alignment channel into which another modular component can be placed and secured on the platform. The mobility controller generates propulsion control signals for controlling speed of the modular mobility base and steering control signals for navigation of the modular mobility base. The propulsion system is connected to the platform and responsive to the propulsion control signal. The steering system is connected to the mobile base platform and is responsive to the steering control signal to cause changes to directional movement of the modular mobility base. The sensors are disposed on the platform provide feedback sensor data to the mobility controller about a condition of the modular mobility base.

A modular mobility base for a modular autonomous bot apparatus transporting an item being shipped including a mobile base platform, a component alignment interface, a mobility controller, a propulsion and steering system, and sensors. The component alignment interface provides an alignment channel into which another modular component can be placed and secured on the platform. The mobility controller generates propulsion control signals for controlling speed of the modular mobility base and steering control signals for navigation of the modular mobility base. The propulsion system is connected to the platform and responsive to the propulsion control signal. The steering system is connected to the mobile base platform and is responsive to the steering control signal to cause changes to directional movement of the modular mobility base. The sensors are disposed on the platform provide feedback sensor data to the mobility controller about a condition of the modular mobility base.

An automated storage and retrieval system includes a grid-based rail structure and a plurality of remotely operated vehicles arranged to operate on the grid-based rail structure. The automated storage and retrieval system includes a locking device arranged in a zone of the grid-based rail structure where a human and/or a robotic operator is permitted to interact with the remotely operated vehicle or contents of a storage container that the remotely operated vehicle is carrying. The locking device is arranged to lock the remotely operated vehicle against accidental displacement prior to interaction with the human and/or robotic operator, and wherein the locking device being arranged to unlock the remotely operated vehicle once interaction with the human and/or robotic operator is no longer required.

An automated storage and retrieval system includes a grid-based rail structure and a plurality of remotely operated vehicles arranged to operate on the grid-based rail structure. The automated storage and retrieval system includes a locking device arranged in a zone of the grid-based rail structure where a human and/or a robotic operator is permitted to interact with the remotely operated vehicle or contents of a storage container that the remotely operated vehicle is carrying. The locking device is arranged to lock the remotely operated vehicle against accidental displacement prior to interaction with the human and/or robotic operator, and wherein the locking device being arranged to unlock the remotely operated vehicle once interaction with the human and/or robotic operator is no longer required.

An apparatus is presented that receives first and second parameters including first parameters from plural harvesting machines, determines a batch unload for a specified quantity of material to unload from each of the harvesting machines, requests permission to receive the batch unload from one of the harvesting machines, and communicates a control signal to trigger the requested batch unload from the one of the harvesting machines.