Abstract: Described herein is an apparatus and a corresponding method for performing warehouse zoning and further monitoring the zoned warehouse. The apparatus includes circuitry that partitions a workspace into a plurality of zones based on an area of the workspace, and a number of transportation vehicles and a number of item racks that are to be deployed in the workspace. A location of each zone within the workspace is determined based on a location of a first type of station that is disposed outside the workspace. The apparatus determines for each zone, an area of the zone and receives a signal indicating occurrence of an event in one of the zones. Further, the apparatus determines a degree of criticality of the occurred event which indicates whether workspace operation in the zone can be continued, and initiates an operation at a timing that is based on the determined degree of criticality.

Abstract: A method for synchronizing movement of transport vehicles in a storage facility is provided. A server determines first and second paths in the storage facility to be traversed by first and second transport vehicles, respectively. The server identifies a common path that corresponds to an overlap between the first and second paths. The server determines a safe distance to be maintained between the first and second transport vehicles, for avoiding a collision therebetween, when the first and second transport vehicles traverse the common path in the same direction. The server communicates a message, indicative of the safe distance, to the second transport vehicle for synchronizing movement of the first and second transport vehicles. Based on the message, the second transport vehicle follows the first transport vehicle along the common path and maintains a distance greater than or equal to the safe distance from the first transport vehicle.

Abstract: Described herein is a lifting device for raising and lowering a contact member. The lifting device includes an actuator configured to move the contact member between a lowered position and a raised position, wherein in a first mode of operation of the lifting device, the actuator moves the contact member from the lowered position to the raised position without rotating the contact member about a reference axis, and in a second mode of operation of the lifting device, the actuator permits rotational motion of the contact member about the reference axis from the raised position to a modified raised position.

Abstract: A method for synchronizing movement of transport vehicles in a storage facility is provided. A server determines first and second paths in the storage facility to be traversed by first and second transport vehicles, respectively. The server identifies a common path that corresponds to an overlap between the first and second paths. The server determines a safe distance to be maintained between the first and second transport vehicles, for avoiding a collision therebetween, when the first and second transport vehicles traverse the common path in the same direction. The server communicates a message, indicative of the safe distance, to the second transport vehicle for synchronizing movement of the first and second transport vehicles. Based on the message, the second transport vehicle follows the first transport vehicle along the common path and maintains a distance greater than or equal to the safe distance from the first transport vehicle.

Abstract: Described herein is an apparatus and a corresponding method for performing warehouse zoning and further monitoring the zoned warehouse. The apparatus includes circuitry that partitions a workspace into a plurality of zones based on an area of the workspace, and a number of transportation vehicles and a number of item racks that are to be deployed in the workspace. A location of each zone within the workspace is determined based on a location of a first type of station that is disposed outside the workspace. The apparatus determines for each zone, an area of the zone and receives a signal indicating occurrence of an event in one of the zones. Further, the apparatus determines a degree of criticality of the occurred event which indicates whether workspace operation in the zone can be continued, and initiates an operation at a timing that is based on the determined degree of criticality.

Abstract: Described herein is a lifting device for raising and lowering a contact member. The lifting device includes an actuator configured to move the contact member between a lowered position and a raised position, wherein in a first mode of operation of the lifting device, the actuator moves the contact member from the lowered position to the raised position without rotating the contact member about a reference axis, and in a second mode of operation of the lifting device, the actuator permits rotational motion of the contact member about the reference axis from the raised position to a modified raised position.