Abstract: An automated warehouse has a main path, secondary paths, a main vehicle movable along the main path, one or more auxiliary vehicles movable along the secondary paths, and an access point. On each vehicle a wireless device receiving and sending wireless signals and a control unit associated with safety modules including a safety-certified watchdog timer and a counter are installed. The wireless devices send check signals containing the value of the counter of the respective vehicle to the access point, which sends signals in response to received check signals When a response signal is received from a wireless device, the respective counter is incremented and the associated watchdog timer starts to measure time when the value of the counter differs from the value received via check signals. Each control unit de-energizes the respective vehicle when a time longer than a predetermined time is detected via the watchdog timer.

Abstract: An automated warehouse has a main path, secondary paths, a main vehicle movable along the main path, one or more auxiliary vehicles movable along the secondary paths, and an access point. On each vehicle a wireless device receiving and sending wireless signals and a control unit associated with safety modules including a safety-certified watchdog timer and a counter are installed. The wireless devices send check signals containing the value of the counter of the respective vehicle to the access point, which sends signals in response to received check signals When a response signal is received from a wireless device, the respective counter is incremented and the associated watchdog timer starts to measure time when the value of the counter differs from the value received via check signals. Each control unit de-energizes the respective vehicle when a time longer than a predetermined time is detected via the watchdog timer.

Abstract: Automated warehouses are provided which include a main path, a series of secondary paths perpendicular to the main path along which storage stations are defined, suitable for receiving cargo units. In order to move the cargo units, a main self-propelled vehicle is movable along the main path, and is associated with an auxiliary self-propelled vehicle, movable along the secondary paths. Location data representations are provided along the paths, which identify absolute positions of reference points or ranges within the automated warehouse. Sensors to read the data are mounted on board of the main self-propelled vehicle and the auxiliary self-propelled vehicle. Methods for storing and withdrawing cargo units in automated warehouses are also provided.

Abstract: Automated warehouses are provided which include a main path, a series of secondary paths perpendicular to the main path along which storage stations are defined, suitable for receiving cargo units. In order to move the cargo units, a main self-propelled vehicle is movable along the main path, and is associated with an auxiliary self-propelled vehicle, movable along the secondary paths. Location data representations are provided along the paths, which identify absolute positions of reference points or ranges within the automated warehouse. Sensors to read the data are mounted on board of the main self-propelled vehicle and the auxiliary self-propelled vehicle. Methods for storing and withdrawing cargo units in automated warehouses are also provided.