A system and method for automated preparation of deliveries in delivery vehicles using automated guided vehicles is described. In an example implementation, the method may determine a future delivery in a set of deliveries assigned to a delivery vehicle, the future delivery including a first item and determine a storage location in the delivery vehicle of the first item. In some implementations, an AGV may, during transit of the delivery vehicle along a route for delivering the set of deliveries, navigate to a point proximate to the storage location of the first item in the delivery vehicle, and retrieve the first item from the storage location in the delivery vehicle. The AGV may then deliver the first item to a delivery point.

An elongated container has a convex shape with a bulge defining a center width of the elongated container. An apparatus and method for lifting the elongated container are described. The apparatus performs a pick operation from a front side of the elongated container. The pick operation includes approaching and gripping the elongated container from the front side. During the pick operation, an outer dimension of the apparatus in a direction perpendicular to an elongated direction defined by the elongated container is smaller than the center width of the elongated container.

A device for use in lifting, transporting and installing sheet material has a base, wheels on which the base is supported, a mast that extends upwardly from the base, a carriage that is in engagement with the mast, a supporting head that is mounted to the carriage, and a lifting mechanism to provide support to the carriage in the longitudinal direction of the mast. The wheels include rear wheels that are connected to the rear of the base in a manner that permits steering of the device during movement across a surface, and a front wheel set that is connected to the front of the base. The front wheel set includes a wheel to each side of the device, and the wheels of the front wheel set are rotatable about a common axis. The connection of the mast to the base is such that the mast is rotatable relative to the base about a rotational axis. The device further has an actuator that is operable to change the angular position of the mast relative to the base. The supporting head is configured to support sheet material above the surface.

A lifting device has crane arm and a working device arranged on the crane arm and movable by the latter. The working device is arranged to be displaceable relative to the crane arm, and an actuating device for setting a predefined or predefinable target position of the working device relative to the crane arm or to a predefined or predefinable direction in space is provided. A sensor for detecting an actual position of the working device relative to the crane arm or to the direction in space is provided, the signals from which can be supplied to the actuating device. The actuating device moves the working device into the target position as a function of the signals from the sensor if the actual position is not equal to the target position.

A system and method for automated preparation of deliveries in delivery vehicles using automated guided vehicles is described. In an example implementation, the method may determine a future delivery in a set of deliveries assigned to a delivery vehicle, the future delivery including a first item and determine a storage location in the delivery vehicle of the first item. In some implementations, an AGV may, during transit of the delivery vehicle along a route for delivering the set of deliveries, navigate to a point proximate to the storage location of the first item in the delivery vehicle, and retrieve the first item from the storage location in the delivery vehicle. The AGV may then deliver the first item to a delivery point.

A device for lifting and transporting sheet material has a base portion, wheels on which the base portion is supported, a mast that extends upwardly from the base portion, a supporting head that is configured to support sheet material, a carriage to which the supporting head is mounted, and a lifting mechanism to support the carriage in the longitudinal direction of the mast. The lifting mechanism includes a winch, and a cable that is connected to the winch, passes over a first pulley located at or near the upper end of the mast and under a second pulley that is mounted on the carriage. An end of the cable is secured or securable at or adjacent an upper end of the mast. The winch and the first and second pulleys are all positioned on one side of the mast. The carriage is displaceable along the mast by operation of the winch.

A device for use in lifting, transporting and installing sheet material has a base, wheels on which the base is supported, a mast that extends upwardly from the base, a carriage that is in engagement with the mast, a supporting head that is mounted to the carriage, and a lifting mechanism to provide support to the carriage in the longitudinal direction of the mast. The wheels include rear wheels that are connected to the rear of the base in a manner that permits steering of the device during movement across a surface, and a front wheel set that is connected to the front of the base. The front wheel set includes a wheel to each side of the device, and the wheels of the front wheel set are rotatable about a common axis. The connection of the mast to the base is such that the mast is rotatable relative to the base about a rotational axis. The device further has an actuator that is operable to change the angular position of the mast relative to the base. The supporting head is configured to support sheet material above the surface.

A mobile manipulator robot having a pneumatic charging system. The mobile robot includes an energy source and a charging system to charge the energy source. The charging system includes a coupler having a mating end configured to mate with an external pneumatic supply system to access a pneumatic supply and a pneumatic actuator disposed downstream of the coupler. The pneumatic actuator is configured to convert energy from the pneumatic supply to charge the energy source. The pneumatic actuator may be an air motor or a piezo.

A portable vacuum lifter system having a power source, drive motor, vacuum pump and reservoir contained in a readily carriable case. The system also has a vacuum pad in fluid communication with the vacuum pump via a vacuum line and a solenoid operated valve. The system is removably mountable on a small host vehicle for use in confined areas.

Building material installation equipment includes: a sucking device for sucking panels, a rotating device for driving the sucking device to rotate, a cross translation device, a swinging device and a mechanical arm; a slip ring is arranged in the rotating device and electrically connected with the sucking device; the cross translation device comprises longitudinal translation plate and transverse translation plate which are capable of driving the sucking device to make a translational movement; the longitudinal translation plate and the transverse translation plate are arranged in a direction parallel to gravity, and are fitted; and the swinging device can drive the cross translation device to swing to one side of the mechanical arm.