Abstract: Systems and methods for maintaining a current map of a workspace using on-demand sensors and fixed sensors are described herein. For example, a system may include a fixed sensor positioned within the workspace, an on-demand sensor available for selective deployment in the workspace, and a computing device. The computing device may maintain a digital map of the workspace, identify a region in the workspace for collection of additional sensor information, and cause the on-demand sensor to gather the additional sensor information for updating the digital map.

Abstract: Systems and methods for gathering sensor information using on-demand sensors and fixed sensors are described herein. For example, a system may include an on-demand sensor available for selective deployment within a workspace in which a plurality of mobile drive units transport a plurality of inventory holders. The system may also include a computing device that monitors movement of a mobile drive unit based on first sensor information. The computing device may also detect a triggering condition relating to the movement of the mobile drive unit. The computing device may also cause an on-demand sensor to collect second sensor information within the workspace based at least in part on detecting the triggering condition.

Abstract: A method of placing inventory can include accessing a data store to retrieve item attribute data of an inventory item to be placed, comparing the item attribute data of the inventory item to attribute data corresponding to each respective inventory item in a collection of potential destination containers, and selecting a particular destination container for storage based on that comparison in order to maximize the relative distinctiveness of items stored together. The storage method results in pseudo-random storage of inventory in containers where each item is more readily identifiable from each other item in the same container, particularly by automated means, and can be used in conjunction with an automated or partially automated inventory storage and retrieval system.

Abstract: A system for managing inventory items includes a portable inventory holder and an unmanned drive unit configured to move the inventory holder between locations in an inventory facility. The inventory facility includes a plurality of uniquely identifiable fiducial markers having a small set of values distributed in a pattern. The drive unit captures at least one image of a subset of the plurality of the fiducial markers. The at least one captured image is processed to determine a location of the drive unit within the facility. A path is determined along which the drive unit moves to an inventory holder and moves the inventory holder to another location. The pattern of fiducial markers can include one or more repeated instances of uniquely identifiable fiducial markers. A fiducial marker can encode information using a readable code and at least one attribute of the fiducial marker.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for providing contention resolutions for components (e.g., mobile drive units, personnel devices) of an inventory system. For example, a method may comprise determining a task to be performed by a mobile drive unit within a storage facility. The MDU may be provided a set of commands related to the task. Conflict information may be received from the MDU that indicates an obstacle related to the set of commands and the task. An alternate set of commands may be generated for the MDU based at least in part on the conflict information and a computer-generated model. In at least one embodiment, the computer-generated model may be trained based at least in part on historical conflict information and conflict resolution information specific to tasks performed within the storage facility. The alternate set of commands related to the task may be provided to the MDU.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for coordinating motion between components of an inventory system. A first set of instructions associated with a first task to be performed by a first robotic device may be received. A second set of instructions associated with a second task to be performed by a second robotic device may be received. The first and second robotic devices may be configured to utilize corresponding operational areas that may overlap to define an area of overlap. Light information representative of the spatial condition of at least one of the robotic devices may be projected onto a projection surface. The light information may be utilized to determine that at least one of the first and second robotic devices is utilizing the area of overlap. A remedial action may be performed to coordinate motion of the first and second robotic devices within the area of overlap.

Abstract: Robotic arms or manipulators can be used to toss inventory items within an inventory system. Tossing strategies for the robotic arms may include information about how a grasped item is to be moved and released by a robotic arm to achieve a trajectory for moving the item to a receiving location. A tossing strategy may also use a trajectory that avoids time and/or space reserved for a trajectory of another tossed item. The receiving location can include surfaces and/or other features that can be manipulated for receiving the item based on one or more characteristics of the tossed item and/or a trajectory of the tossed item.

Abstract: Robotic arms or manipulators can be used to toss inventory items within an inventory system. Tossing strategies for the robotic arms may include information about how a grasped item is to be moved and released by a robotic arm to achieve a trajectory for moving the item to a receiving location. A tossing strategy may also use a trajectory that avoids time and/or space reserved for a trajectory of another tossed item. The receiving location can include surfaces and/or other features that can be manipulated for receiving the item based on one or more characteristics of the tossed item and/or a trajectory of the tossed item.

Abstract: An inventory system includes an inventory holder that may be moved by a mobile drive unit. The inventory holder may hold inventory items. The mobile drive unit may move in a manner for facilitating a shift of position of at least one inventory item relative to the inventory holder. Such movement may be accomplished, for example, by accelerating, decelerating, turning while driving, spinning, dropping the inventory holder, or by causing at least one of the mobile drive unit or the inventory holder to at least one of interact with or engage an obstacle such as a bump over which the mobile drive unit drives, a bar positioned above a floor on which the mobile drive unit drives, a wall, another mobile drive unit, or another inventory holder.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to an inventory system that comprises sensors coupled with an inventory holder and a management module to automatically determine a location of an interaction with an inventory bin of the inventory holder by an inventory item without requiring hand-scanners. The system may determine the location of the interaction with which to associate to a particular bin of the inventory holder based on signal information provided by one or more proximity sensors coupled with the inventory bins of the inventory holder. The system may update information to associate the inventory item with the location of the particular bin in the inventory holder in response to determining the location of the interaction using the signal information.

Abstract: In an infrastructure that uses a mobile order fulfillment system, robotic drive units may be dispatched and instructed to bring inventory holders to a workstation where at least one of the inventory holders is packed and prepared for shipment. The robotic drive units are then instructed to move the prepared inventory holder to a transport vehicle such as a truck. Fiducial marks may be removably placed within the transport vehicle to aid navigation of the robotic drive units. At a destination facility, additional robotic drive units may be instructed to move the inventory holders from the truck and place the inventory holders at appropriate storage locations.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for calculating an area of interaction within a perimeter of a detection area. A system may comprise a plurality of emitters, a plurality of sensors, a memory configured to store computer-executable instructions and a processor configured to access the memory and execute the instructions. The instructions may cause the processor to generate a set of emissions with the plurality of emitters, obtain sensor information of the plurality of sensors, determine a set of sensors of the plurality of sensors that failed to detect an emission of the set of emissions, and calculate an area of interaction within the perimeter of the detection area based at least in part on the determined set of sensors.

Abstract: Robotic arms or manipulators can be used to toss inventory items within an inventory system. Tossing strategies for the robotic arms may include information about how a grasped item is to be moved and released by a robotic arm to achieve a trajectory for moving the item to a receiving location. A tossing strategy may also use a trajectory that avoids time and/or space reserved for a trajectory of another tossed item. The receiving location can include surfaces and/or other features that can be manipulated for receiving the item based on one or more characteristics of the tossed item and/or a trajectory of the tossed item.

Abstract: Described herein is system in which separate networks are operated on behalf of system components associated within an inventory system. Mobile drive units may receive initial instructions from a central authority and may identify a number of system components relevant to the provided instructions. The mobile drive unit may be configured to traverse to locations associated with the identified system components. As the mobile drive unit traverses the inventory floor, it may connect to the separate networks that it comes into contact with. Upon connecting to a network associated with a system component relevant to its set of instructions, the mobile drive unit may provide instructions to the system component to cause it to execute an action. In some embodiments, the mobile drive unit may connect to a system component in order to perform a route guidance algorithm and/or collision avoidance algorithm.

Abstract: Disclosed inventory systems, methods, and devices can be used to retrieve and transport resources from one location to another. Specifically, a vertically mobile drive unit including a vertical element retention mechanism can be controlled by a management component to retrieve a resource, transport the resource from one floor to a different floor in an inventory system, and deposit the resource at a destination. The vertically mobile drive unit can transit vertically along a vertically disposed element in an inventory system, such as a structural pole or column; and can rotate around the structural pole or column in order to set down on an upper level after ascending, or to clear the upper level prior to descending.

Abstract: An item that is moving along a moving surface of an inventory conveyance system may be identified. An orientation of the item with respect to the moving surface may be determined based on sensing information that describes the item and a portion of the moving surface surrounding the item. A removal strategy for operating a robotic arm to remove the item from the moving surface may be determined based at least in part on the item and the orientation. The removal strategy may include a trajectory for the robotic arm to follow as part of removing the item from the moving surface.

Abstract: An inventory management system is described. The inventory management system may be configured to determine a head or eye level of an operator interacting with a storage structure. As part of this process, visual image data, thermal image data, or LiDAR data can be obtained and the eyes or head of the operator identified in the obtained data, or the operator may wear a device usable to determine head or eye position. The determined head or eye level can be correlated with a vertical position on a display, and inventory information can be displayed to the operator at the determined level.

Abstract: An inventory system includes an inventory holder that may be moved by a mobile drive unit. The inventory holder may hold inventory items. The mobile drive unit may move in a manner for facilitating a shift of position of at least one inventory item relative to the inventory holder. Such movement may be accomplished, for example, by accelerating, decelerating, turning while driving, spinning, dropping the inventory holder, or by causing at least one of the mobile drive unit or the inventory holder to at least one of interact with or engage an obstacle such as a bump over which the mobile drive unit drives, a bar positioned above a floor on which the mobile drive unit drives, a wall, another mobile drive unit, or another inventory holder.

Abstract: An inventory management system is described. The inventory management system may be configured to use thermal image data to determine that an item was successfully placed in a storage structure. As part of this process, thermal images may be processed to identify instances of temperature differences that correspond to the item. These temperature differences may be evidence of a recent touch by an operator or may be generated by temperature changing devices during item placement.

Abstract: An item may be outfitted with a cartridge for varying a net density of the item and deposited in a body of liquid for storage. The cartridge may cause a net density of the item to exceed a density of the liquid, or to fall below the density of the liquid, and to descend or ascend within the liquid, as desired. The cartridge may also cause a net density of the item to equal the density of the liquid, and thus remain at a constant depth. The cartridge may be configured to receive acoustic signals or other forms of instructions for varying a net density of the item, and may send acoustic signals or other messages identifying a depth or position of the item. The cartridge may thus enable an item to be stored at any depth within the liquid, and be retrieved upon demand.