Abstract: A system and method of order fulfilment is described. The system comprises a storage and retrieval system, a transfer system and at least one pick station. The transfer system further comprises conveyance means disposed between the storage and retrieval system and the pick station such that items delivered to the transfer system from the storage and retrieval system may be conveyed to the pick stations independently of the normal operation of the pick station.

Abstract: A customisable modular storage system is described where goods are stored in containers and the containers are stored in stacks. The stacks are contained within towers formed of stacks of bin receiving units. A grid network of tracks is provided on the top of the bin receiving units upon which load handling devices run. The load handling devices take containers from the stacks and deposit them at alternative locations in the stacks or deposit then at stations where goods may be picked out.

Abstract: A storage system is disclosed which includes a series of fire detection, suppression and extinguishing capability. The system can include containers formed as structural composites. The containers can have multiple portions of a structural or storage nature. The system can use the containers and the system itself to reduce a likelihood of fire spreading through large grid based systems.

Abstract: A method for exchanging a power source in a load handling device operative on a grid framework structure, the grid framework structure including a track system extending in a substantially horizontal plane and forming a grid pattern containing a plurality of grid cells; a plurality of upright columns supporting the track system; and a plurality of stacks of storage containers arranged in a plurality of storage columns located below the track system. The method includes removing a first power source from the load handling device; inserting the first power source into a first storage container in a first grid cell; removing a second power source from a second storage container in a second grid cell; and inserting the second power source into the load handling device.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for dynamically routing pickers and autonomous vehicles to avoid areas closed to travel by the autonomous vehicles within a warehouse. A processor in communication with an autonomous vehicle and an electronic device operated by a user (e.g., handheld device) may, in response to detecting that the electronic device diverges from a path of the autonomous vehicle, provide, for display on the electronic device, information about the product. The processor may then determine a rendezvous location for the autonomous vehicle based on a location of the product. The processor may then instruct the autonomous vehicle to navigate to the rendezvous location and transmit the rendezvous location to the electronic device.

Abstract: A robotic processing system and method are disclosed for processing materials using a series of containers stored in an automated storage and picking system. Each of the containers performs a specific function on the materials stored therein. The materials are passed from bin to bin via a suitable dispensing and transferring system. For example, a system is disclosed for delivering ingredients to a micro-brewery, as are methods for brewing small or test batches of beer according to customers' individual requirements.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the disclosure provide methods and systems for determining substitutes for an item in a computationally efficient way.

Abstract: A grid framework structure configured to support one or more robotic load handling devices includes: a grid structure having a first set of parallel grid members extending in a first direction and a second set of parallel grid members extending in a second direction to form a grid pattern of grid cells; a track system; and a supporting framework structure for supporting the grid structure above ground to create a storage space for containers such that load handling devices can lift containers through a grid cell; wherein: the supporting framework structure includes a plurality of prefabricated modular panels.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus and method to automatically detect vehicle damage which minimises the time taken to detect damage per vehicle. For example, the action of damage detection is also performed with an action of causing the fixing of any detected damage, where appropriate. A damage detection unit is configured and arranged to detect damage on a vehicle. The damage detection unit includes a receiving unit arranged to receive an image from a camera and a determining unit arranged to determine damage on the vehicle based on the received image. Moreover, the damage detection unit includes a storing unit arranged to store information about damage previously determined to be present on the vehicle and a comparing unit arranged to compare the damage determined by the determining unit with the information about previous damage as stored by the storing unit.

Abstract: A storage system is disclosed where goods can be stored in containers and the containers are stored in stacks. Above the stacks runs a grid network of rails (e.g., tracks) on which load handling devices can run. To take containers from the stacks and deposit then at alternative locations in the stacks or deposit then at stations where goods may be picked. The framework may be provided with one or more of the following exemplary services: power, power control, heating, lighting, cooling, sensors, and data logging devices. The provision of these services within the framework rather than across the system as a whole, can allow for flexibility in storage whilst reducing cost and inefficiency.

Abstract: An adjustable spacer for adjusting the spacing between two bodies includes a first rotatable indexing mechanism configured to rotate in a first rotational direction; and/or a second rotatable indexing mechanism configured to rotate in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction; wherein rotation of the first rotatable indexing mechanism by a given angular rotation in the first rotational direction changes a length of the adjustable spacer along the rotational axis by a first length, and rotation of the second rotatable indexing mechanism in the second direction by the same given angular rotation about the rotational axis changes the length of the adjustable spacer along the rotational axis by a second length.

Abstract: A method for detecting seismic events, the method including acquiring acceleration data over a given period of time from one or more accelerometers located on a grid framework structure; comparing the acquired acceleration data to ground acceleration data from one or more accelerometers located on the ground; determining a differential acceleration between the acceleration data and the ground acceleration data; determining displacement data from the differential acceleration; and determining whether a seismic event has taken place over the given period of time based on the displacement data.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for optimizing a pick rate based on an optimized arrangement of products in a tote and an optimizing pick path. The arrangement of the products in the tote are based on one or more parameters of the tote and one or more attributes of each of the products. Parameters of the tote include a pack density and maximum weight capacity. Attributes of the products include a volume, fragility, weight, hazard, and orientation. The arrangement of the products in the tote dictate the path a picker takes to collect the products. Products collected at a first instant in time are placed at the bottom of the tote while products collected at a later instant in time are placed closer to the top of the tote. The analytics server transmits instructions for arranging the products in the tote such that a picker optimally orients the products.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a finger sub-assembly for the gripper assembly of a robotic manipulator. The finger sub-assembly includes a base unit connectable to the gripper assembly by a mount and a high-friction pad for contacting an article during its manipulation, with the high-friction pad being mechanically secured to the base unit.

Abstract: An automated container loader for loading a smaller storage container into a larger storage container. The loader includes a container support for receiving a larger storage container and a container loading assembly configured to receive a smaller storage container above the larger storage container and release the smaller storage container to allow the smaller storage container to descend under gravity into the larger storage container. The container loading assembly also includes a plurality of engagement surfaces configured to engage the smaller storage container during at least a portion of the descent of the smaller storage container to control the descent velocity of the smaller storage container under gravity.

Abstract: An anti-seismic grid framework system including a grid framework structure configured for supporting a load handling device operative to move one or more containers in a stack. The anti-seismic grid framework system includes a seismic isolation system for reducing seismic forces acting on the grid framework structure, wherein the grid framework structure is supported by the seismic isolation system, the seismic isolation system including a superstructure and a substructure, and at least one base isolation device disposed between the superstructure and the substructure such that the at least one base isolation device suppresses movement of the superstructure relative to the substructure in a seismic event.

Abstract: A camera unit is provided for use with a cubic automated storage and retrieval system. The camera unit is configured to operate on a grid of the storage and retrieval system such that is received within a single grid cell of the storage and retrieval system. The camera unit is mounted to the framework of the storage and retrieval system and includes a camera array having one or more cameras. The camera unit is arranged such that the camera array may view one or more picking station located on the grid of the storage and retrieval system.

Abstract: An automatic destacking device for loading and unloading containers from a rack, the destacking device including an unloading/loading unit including: a vertical frame having a pair of laterally spaced upright supports; a plurality of shelves vertically spaced between the upright supports, each shelf being configured to support a container thereon, wherein each shelf provides a storage level for the containers such that the shelves provide an array of vertically stacked storage levels for the containers, each shelf being vertically moveable to a different height position along the frame so as to move a container supported on the shelf up or down the storage levels.

Abstract: A container lifting assembly for raising and/or lowering containers stacked in stacks in a grid storage structure, includes a gripping device configured to releasably grip a container; a raising and lowering mechanism configured to raise and lower the gripping device; and a gearing mechanism configured to wind and/or unwind at least one tether. A motor is configured to actuate the gearing mechanism to wind and/or unwind the at least one tether. The at least one tether is connected to the gripping device such that winding and unwinding of the at least one tether is configured to raise and lower the gripping device.

Abstract: A storage system is disclosed which includes a series of fire detection, suppression and extinguishing capability. The system can include containers formed as structural composites. The containers can have multiple portions of a structural or storage nature. The system can use the containers and the system itself to reduce a likelihood of fire spreading through large grid based systems.