Abstract: A workstation is disclosed for transferring objects between containers such as product and order totes in an order fulfillment system. The workstation may include an object pick system, for example including a measuring array or a machine vision system, which directs and monitors the transfer of objects between the containers.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed relating to an automated store or system including an automated fulfillment section having a storage structure for storing fungible and/or non-fungible goods. The fungible and/or non-fungible goods may be retrieved from storage in response to a customer order. The system and method of the present technology allows retrieved fungible and/or non-fungible goods to be sorted and packed in accordance with stored customer preferences.

Abstract: The present technology relates to an automated system structure which may be quickly and efficiently assembled using a number of storage modules. Storage modules may be comprised of a pair of shelf modules, each comprising a number of defined storage locations for storing totes, cartons, trays or other containers. The shelf modules may themselves be modular units comprising a number of horizontal storage levels affixed to a pair of vertical support assemblies at each end of the shelf modules. The pair of shelf modules may be accurately spaced from each other by mounting the shelf modules to tie beams at the bottom and tie plates at the top.

Abstract: A system and method for managing a plurality of automated mobile robots within automated mobile robot storage and retrieval system is provided, which repurposes one or more automated mobile robots operating within the automated inventory management system to perform a plurality of tasks across multiple different areas of an automated store. The same mobile robot is enabled to move horizontally and vertically in a multi-level storage structure, operate in an order fulfillment mode retrieving order totes from an automated fulfillment section and delivering the order totes to the delivery section, operate in a replenishment mode receiving eaches of goods and depositing the eaches of goods in designated storage totes, and operate in a delivery mode receiving delivery bundles and transporting the delivery bundles to designated locations at the transfer station.

Abstract: A universal gripper is disclosed for transferring totes and sub-totes, for example in an order fulfillment center. The universal gripper includes adjustable tines and pins capable of being positioned to engage within slots in the different configurations of totes and sub-totes.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for selecting and combining items in an outbound container through the use of autonomous vehicles, each of which includes means for automatically loading and unloading a payload, to perform both transfer and transport functions in moving containers of items within a workspace via a network of roadways. Under computer control, said autonomous vehicles transfer and transport case containers of item units between incoming receiving stations, intermediate storage locations, and outgoing order-assembly stations where entire containers or individual item units are combined in the outbound container.

Abstract: A universal gripper is disclosed for transferring totes and sub-totes, for example in an order fulfillment center. The universal gripper includes adjustable tines and pins capable of being positioned to engage within slots in the different configurations of totes and sub-totes.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for selecting and combining items in an outbound container through the use of autonomous vehicles, each of which includes means for automatically loading and unloading a payload, to perform both transfer and transport functions in moving containers of items within a workspace via a network of roadways. Under computer control, said autonomous vehicles transfer and transport case containers of item units between incoming receiving stations, intermediate storage locations, and outgoing order-assembly stations where entire containers or individual item units are combined in the outbound container.

Abstract: An automatic storage and retrieval system is disclosed including storage positions for storing containers, a portal and mobile robots for transferring the containers between the storage positions and portal. The portal may include a bot-access side where the mobile robots transfer containers to and from the portal, and a user-access side where users remove items from the containers.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed including a robotic system having a robotic picking workstation, tote storage and retrieval and transit decks. The system has bots that autonomously transport totes from the storage and retrieval system to the robotic picking workstation via the transit decks. The robotic picking workstation may have a picking lane where a robotic handler transports eaches from totes on the bots to order totes in the workstation. The robotic picking workstation further has a queuing buffer where bots are cued for the picking lane.

Abstract: An automated order fulfillment system and mobile robot are disclosed, where the mobile robot includes a compliant drive for moving between levels of a multilevel storage structure.

Abstract: An automated order fulfillment system is disclosed having different temperature zones and robots and containers capable of and/or configured to work in these different temperature zones.

Abstract: An automated decant system is disclosed for processing pallets of cased goods received at a facility, extracting packaging for the cases and transferring eaches within the cases to totes, possibly organized by SKU in sub-totes within the tote.

Abstract: A system and method for storage and retrieval are provided. The system includes a multi-level storage structure, and mobile robots configured to pick, transport and place one or more tote, container, or object. This system and method can be used in order-fulfillment applications in which one or more workstations accommodate a picker that transports one or more eaches from a tote on one of the autonomous mobile robots to a put location, and an input/output interface induct material into the system and discharge fulfilled orders from the system. The mobile robots are further configured to move from level to level in the multi-level storage structure via inclined or vertical tracks without requiring a vertical lift or vertical conveyor.

Abstract: A vertical farming system is disclosed including a storage structure having racks of storage shelves for housing plant-carrying containers. Mobile robots travel around the racks to transfer containers of plants to and from the storage shelves. Under direction of a central control system, one or more mobile robots may transport a container from a storage location to a workstation. Once there, care may be provided for the plant, including water and/or other nutrients, and data may be gathered on the plant. This may be done by an owner of the plant, or by an automated service robot positioned at the workstation. Data gathered on the plant, including for example photographs, may be sent by email or other communications schemes to an owner of the plant.

Abstract: An order fulfillment system is disclosed including a multi-level tote storage structure, one or more autonomous mobile robots configured to pick, transport and place one or more tote; one or more workstations configured to accommodate a picker that transports one or more eaches from a tote on one of the autonomous mobile robots to a “put” location, wherein the autonomous mobile robots are configured to move from level to level in the order fulfillment apparatus.

Abstract: An automated system structure is disclosed which may be quickly and efficiently assembled using a number of storage modules. Storage modules may be comprised of a pair of shelf modules, each comprising a number of defined storage locations for storing totes, cartons, trays or other containers. The shelf modules may themselves be modular units comprising a number of horizontal storage levels affixed to a pair of vertical support assemblies at each end of the shelf modules. The pair of shelf modules may be accurately spaced from each other by mounting the shelf modules to tie beams at the bottom and tie plates at the top.

Abstract: A universal gripper is disclosed for transferring totes and sub-totes, for example in an order fulfillment center. The universal gripper includes adjustable tines and pins capable of being positioned to engage within slots in the different configurations of totes and sub-totes.

Abstract: A system and method for storage and retrieval are provided. The system includes a multi-level storage structure, and mobile robots configured to pick, transport and place one or more tote, container, or object. This system and method can be used in order-fulfillment applications in which one or more workstations accommodate a picker that transports one or more eaches from a tote on one of the autonomous mobile robots to a put location, and an input/output interface induct material into the system and discharge fulfilled orders from the system. The mobile robots are further configured to move from level to level in the multi-level storage structure via inclined or vertical tracks without requiring a vertical lift or vertical conveyor.

Abstract: An automated self-service store is disclosed including a shopper accessible level having inventory for selection by a shopper, and an item storage and replenishment area for storing inventory. The self-service store further includes mobile robots for replenishing inventory at the shopper accessible level from the item storage and replenishment area.