Abstract: A method for queuing robots destined for one or more processing stations in an environment includes determining when each robot of a plurality of robots destined for the one or more processing stations have entered a predefined target zone proximate the one or more processing stations. The method also includes assigning each of the robots to one of a plurality of queue positions based on an assigned priority and directing each of the robots from its assigned queue position to a processing position of one of the processing stations. Each of the processing stations includes at least two processing positions for a like number of robots to occupy for processing by an operator.

Abstract: A method for executing an order with a plurality of items assigned to a first robot of a plurality of robots operating in a warehouse with the assistance of a plurality of operators. The method includes navigating the first robot to a first location in the warehouse proximate a location of a first item in the order and pausing for an operator of to assist the first robot to execute a function. The method includes determining if the first robot has been paused for greater than a maximum dwell time without being assisted by an operator. If it has been, the method causes the first robot to leave the first location without completing the function on the first item and causing the first robot to proceed to a second location proximate a storage a second item to execute a function.

Abstract: A method for customer assisted robot picking includes navigating a robot to a pose location within a retail space in proximity to an item to be picked, the retail space having items for purchase by customers, the robot identifying, by a sensor in communication with the robot, a customer located within a zone proximate the robot, communicating to the customer information identifying the item to be picked, detecting presentation of the item by the customer for identification, and updating customer performance data stored in a customer account to include data corresponding to picking of the item by the customer.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for robot congestion management including a robot monitoring server configured to track a location of a plurality of robots within a navigational space and a plurality of robots in communication with the robot monitoring server, each robot including a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the autonomous robot to determine, from a task list assigned to the robot, a first pose location corresponding to a first task, receive, from the robot monitoring server, congestion information associated with the first pose location, identify a congested state of the first pose location indicated by the congestion information, select, responsive to the identification of the congested state, a second task from the task list, and navigate to a second pose location corresponding to the second task.

Abstract: Systems and methods for robot assisted personnel routing including a plurality of autonomous robots operating within a navigational space, each robot including a processor and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the autonomous robot to detect completion of a task operation by a human operator, receive status information corresponding to at least one other robot, the status information including at least one of a location or a wait time associated with the other robot, determine, from the status information, at least one next task recommendation for directing the human operator to a next robot for a next task operation, and render, on a display of the robot, the at least one next task recommendation for viewing by the human operator, the next task recommendation including a location of the next robot corresponding to the next task.

Abstract: Systems and methods for proximate robot object detection and avoidance are provided herein which include a receiver in electronic communication with an autonomous robot and configured to receive a broadcast message from a beacon, a processor, and a memory, the memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the autonomous robot to detect, based on the received broadcast message, a proximity of the beacon to the autonomous robot, determine, from the received broadcast message, a beacon status, the beacon status indicating whether the beacon is stationary, approaching the autonomous robot, or withdrawing from the autonomous robot, identify, according to the detected proximity and the determined beacon status, a corresponding proximity operation, and control the autonomous robot to stop an ordinary operation and operate according to the identified proximity operation.

Abstract: A method for executing an order with a plurality of items assigned to a first robot of a plurality of robots operating in a warehouse with the assistance of a plurality of operators. The method includes navigating the first robot to a first location in the warehouse proximate a location of a first item in the order and pausing for an operator of to assist the first robot to execute a function. The method includes determining if the first robot has been paused for greater than a maximum dwell time without being assisted by an operator. If it has been, the method causes the first robot to leave the first location without completing the function on the first item and causing the first robot to proceed to a second location proximate a storage a second item to execute a function.

Abstract: A method for assigning orders to a plurality of robots fulfilling orders in a warehouse with the assistance of a plurality of operators. The method includes providing a first robot of the plurality of robots to a be assigned an order set, including one or more orders to be fulfilled and assessing the locations of at least one of the plurality of robots or at least one of the plurality of operators in the warehouse. The method also includes selecting an anchor location in the warehouse and generating an order set for the first robot correlated to the anchor location in the warehouse. The method also includes assigning the order set to the first robot for fulfillment.

Abstract: A method for recommending a tote type for an operator to select for use in robot induction process, wherein the robot operates under the control of a warehouse management system to fulfill orders, each order including one or more items and each item being located in a warehouse. The method includes grouping one or more orders from an order queue to form at least one order set. The method also includes identifying, based on a characteristic of the at least one order set, a preferred tote type to be assigned to the robot to carry the order set on the robot. The method further includes communicating to an operator the preferred tote type to enable the operator to select from a plurality of totes a tote of the preferred tote type to assign to the robot for execution of the order.

Abstract: A method for customer assisted robot picking includes navigating a robot to a pose location within a retail space in proximity to an item to be picked, the retail space having items for purchase by customers, the robot identifying, by a sensor in communication with the robot, a customer located within a zone proximate the robot, communicating to the customer information identifying the item to be picked, detecting presentation of the item by the customer for identification, and updating customer performance data stored in a customer account to include data corresponding to picking of the item by the customer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for contextually mapping zones within a space for regulating robotic navigation within the space include defining, by at least one fiducial marker positioned within the space, a zone within the space, associating a rule with the zone, the rule at least partially dictating operation of one or more robots within the zone, and operating the one or more robots within the zone consistent with the rule.

Abstract: A method for grouping a plurality of orders in an order queue of a warehouse management system, each order including one or more items and each item being associated with a physical location in a warehouse. The method includes determining a physical location in the warehouse of each item in the plurality of orders. For each order, the method also includes establishing at least one cluster region, each cluster region including at least one item from the respective order. The method further includes grouping the plurality of orders based on the physical locations of the cluster regions in the warehouse to form at least one order set.

Abstract: A method for performing tasks on items located in a space using a robot, includes receiving an order to perform a task on at least one item and obtaining a pose associated with the at least one item. The pose is in a coordinate system defined by the space and the pose is where the task is to be performed on the at least one item. The method includes navigating the robot toward the pose associated with the at least one item and detecting, when in proximity to the pose, if the pose is obstructed by an object. If the pose is obstructed by an object, halting the robot at a location spaced from the pose and then causing the robot to provide a first signal indicating that the robot is in a holding mode at the location spaced from the pose.

Abstract: A method for queuing robots destined for one or more target locations in an environment, includes determining if a plurality of robots destined for the one or more target locations have entered a predefined target zone proximate the one or more target locations. The method also includes assigning each of the robots to either its target location or one of a plurality of queue locations based on an assigned priority. The plurality of queue locations are grouped into one or more queue groups.

Abstract: A method for performing tasks on items located in a space using a robot, includes receiving an order to perform a task on at least one item and obtaining a pose associated with the at least one item. The pose is in a coordinate system defined by the space and the pose is where the task is to be performed on the at least one item. The method includes navigating the robot toward the pose associated with the at least one item and detecting, when in proximity to the pose, if the pose is obstructed by an object. If the pose is obstructed by an object, halting the robot at a location spaced from the pose and then causing the robot to provide a first signal indicating that the robot is in a holding mode at the location spaced from the pose.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving operator performance by robot gamification, the method including parking a robot at a pose location within a navigational space, identifying, by a sensor in electronic communication with an interactive display device, an operator located within a zone proximate the robot for acquiring an item to be picked, receiving, at the interactive display device, operator performance data associated with the acquiring of the item, and rendering, on the interactive display device in response to the received operator performance data, at least one graphic representation of operator achievement within a gamified performance tracking environment.

Abstract: A robot system includes at least one robot configured to interact with a plurality of operators in a warehouse. The robot has a proximity detector configured to detect the presence of an operator of the plurality of operators when they are within a predetermined distance of the at least one robot. There is a processor configured to retrieve from a memory a set of operator interaction preferences for the operator detected. And, there is a display device configured to allow the at least one robot to interact with the detected operator based on the set of operator interaction preferences of the detected operator.

Abstract: A method for grouping a plurality of orders in an order queue of a warehouse management system, each order including one or more items and each item being associated with a physical location in a warehouse. The method includes determining a physical location in the warehouse of each item in the plurality of orders. For each order, the method also includes establishing at least one cluster region, each cluster region including at least one item from the respective order. The method further includes grouping the plurality of orders based on the physical locations of the cluster regions in the warehouse to form at least one order set.

Abstract: A robot capable of autonomously navigating through a warehouse to execute orders on items at locations in the warehouse with the assistance of the human operators. There is a mobile base unit and a display device associated with the mobile base unit having a display area to allow the human operators to interact with the robot. And, there is a processor configured to display on a first portion of the display area information corresponding to an item on which an operator is to assist the robot execute the order at a first location and to display on a second portion of the display area icons representing other robots within a predetermined area surrounding the first location.

Abstract: A system for identifying and tracking performance of operators in a warehouse. The system comprises at least one robot configured to interact with the operators in the warehouse. The at least one robot includes a first transceiver, a proximity detector, and a memory. The first transceiver defines a zone surrounding the robot and the proximity detector is coupled to the first transceiver. The proximity detector is configured to detect entry, into the zone, of an operator and to detect exit of the operator from the zone. The memory contains information identifying said operators who have entered and exited the zone.