Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for transporting workcells. In one aspect, a system includes a first fleet of AGVs that each include electro-mechanical interface that is adapted to (i) connect to or lift multiple different types of workcells and (ii) provide charging power to or receive charging power from multiple different types of workcells. A second fleet of multiple different types of workcells are each adapted to perform one or more particular tasks. A control system is configured to identify a set of tasks to be performed by the second fleet of workcells and, for each task, select a workcell to perform the task, select an AGV to transport the selected workcell to a location at which the task is to be performed, and provide, to the selected AGV, instructions that cause the selected AGV to transport the selected workcell to the location at which the task is to be performed.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for transporting workcells. In one aspect, a system includes a first fleet of AGVs that each include electro-mechanical interface that is adapted to (i) connect to or lift multiple different types of workcells and (ii) provide charging power to or receive charging power from multiple different types of workcells. A second fleet of multiple different types of workcells are each adapted to perform one or more particular tasks. A control system is configured to identify a set of tasks to be performed by the second fleet of workcells and, for each task, select a workcell to perform the task, select an AGV to transport the selected workcell to a location at which the task is to be performed, and provide, to the selected AGV, instructions that cause the selected AGV to transport the selected workcell to the location at which the task is to be performed.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for transporting workcells. In one aspect, a system includes a first fleet of AGVs that each include electro-mechanical interface that is adapted to (i) connect to or lift multiple different types of workcells and (ii) provide charging power to or receive charging power from multiple different types of workcells. A second fleet of multiple different types of workcells are each adapted to perform one or more particular tasks. A control system is configured to identify a set of tasks to be performed by the second fleet of workcells and, for each task, select a workcell to perform the task, select an AGV to transport the selected workcell to a location at which the task is to be performed, and provide, to the selected AGV, instructions that cause the selected AGV to transport the selected workcell to the location at which the task is to be performed.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for transporting workcells. In one aspect, a system includes a first fleet of AGVs that each include electro-mechanical interface that is adapted to (i) connect to or lift multiple different types of workcells and (ii) provide charging power to or receive charging power from multiple different types of workcells. A second fleet of multiple different types of workcells are each adapted to perform one or more particular tasks. A control system is configured to identify a set of tasks to be performed by the second fleet of workcells and, for each task, select a workcell to perform the task, select an AGV to transport the selected workcell to a location at which the task is to be performed, and provide, to the selected AGV, instructions that cause the selected AGV to transport the selected workcell to the location at which the task is to be performed.

Abstract: Techniques of implementing automated secure disposal of hardware components in computing systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving data representing a command instructing removal of a hardware component from a server in a datacenter upon verification. In response to receiving the maintenance command, the method includes autonomously navigating from a current location to the destination location corresponding to the server, verifying an identity of the hardware component at the destination location, and removing the hardware component from the server. The method further includes upon successful removal of the hardware component, generating and transmitting telemetry data indicating verification of the hardware component at the destination location and successful removal of the verified hardware component from the server.

Abstract: Described are systems, methods, and apparatus for managing the movement of inventory items within a materials handling facility using rollable containers and a gravity feed conveyance system. Inventory items are placed in the rollable containers and are routed to different locations within the materials handling facility along the gravity feed conveyance system, through use of gravitational forces that cause the rollable containers to roll. By using gravity to route inventory items within the materials handling facility, the energy and power requirements for the materials handling facility are reduced, which reduces overhead costs and which is better for the environment.

Abstract: Techniques of implementing automated secure disposal of hardware components in computing systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving data representing a command instructing removal of a hardware component from a server in a datacenter upon verification. In response to receiving the maintenance command, the method includes autonomously navigating from a current location to the destination location corresponding to the server, verifying an identity of the hardware component at the destination location, and removing the hardware component from the server. The method further includes upon successful removal of the hardware component, generating and transmitting telemetry data indicating verification of the hardware component at the destination location and successful removal of the verified hardware component from the server.

Abstract: Techniques of implementing automated secure disposal of hardware components in computing systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving data representing a command instructing removal of a hardware component from a server in a datacenter upon verification. In response to receiving the maintenance command, the method includes autonomously navigating from a current location to the destination location corresponding to the server, verifying an identity of the hardware component at the destination location, and removing the hardware component from the server. The method further includes upon successful removal of the hardware component, generating and transmitting telemetry data indicating verification of the hardware component at the destination location and successful removal of the verified hardware component from the server.

Abstract: An RFID device may include one or more manually activated RFID tags configured to transmit unique RFID signals in response to a manual activation thereof. A transaction may be defined upon receiving a confluence of multiple RFID signals at the same time, or at nearly the same time, at an RFID reader. A transaction may also be defined upon receiving multiple RFID signals or confluences of such signals in a predetermined series or sequence. The RFID devices may include a single manually activated RFID tag, or two or more of such tags, which may be individually activated by one or more manual interactions from a user.

Abstract: Techniques of implementing automated secure disposal of hardware components in computing systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving data representing a command instructing removal of a hardware component from a server in a datacenter upon verification. In response to receiving the maintenance command, the method includes autonomously navigating from a current location to the destination location corresponding to the server, verifying an identity of the hardware component at the destination location, and removing the hardware component from the server. The method further includes upon successful removal of the hardware component, generating and transmitting telemetry data indicating verification of the hardware component at the destination location and successful removal of the verified hardware component from the server.

Abstract: An RFID device may include one or more manually activated RFID tags configured to transmit unique RFID signals in response to a manual activation thereof. A transaction may be defined upon receiving a confluence of multiple RFID signals at the same time, or at nearly the same time, at an RFID reader. A transaction may also be defined upon receiving multiple RFID signals or confluences of such signals in a predetermined series or sequence. The RFID devices may include a single manually activated RFID tag, or two or more of such tags, which may be individually activated by one or more manual interactions from a user.

Abstract: Inventory systems may include one or more sensors capable of detecting spatial positioning of inventory holders and an arm of a worker interacting with the inventory holder. Data can be received from a sensor, a gesture of the arm can be determined from the data, and a bin location or other information can be determined based on the gesture.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for pick verification using moving radio frequency identification (RFID) tags. A robotic picker moves an item storage structure within range of a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag reader, wherein the item storage structure comprises multiple items and the items each have an RFID tag affixed. The RFID tag reader emits an electric field. The robotic picker moves the item storage structure while the RFID tag reader emits the electric field. An RFID tag identification device receives responses from energized RFID tags affixed to the items. The RFID tag identification device determines that an energized RFID tag is in motion and selects an identifier broadcast by the energized RFID tag that is in motion.

Abstract: Inventory systems may include one or more sensors capable of detecting spatial positioning of inventory holders and an arm of a worker interacting with the inventory holder. Data can be received from a sensor, a gesture of the arm can be determined from the data, and a bin location or other information can be determined based on the gesture.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for verifying that items have been correctly retrieved to fulfill orders or shipments. A plurality of radio frequency identification (RFID) tags are energized with an electromagnetic field emitted from an RFID reader, wherein individual ones of the RFID tags include a sensor. Motion data is reported by the RFID tags and detected via the RFID reader. Subsequently, at least one of the plurality of RFID tags is selected from the plurality of RFID tags based at least in part on the motion data.

Abstract: Described are systems, methods, and apparatus for managing the movement of inventory items within a materials handling facility using rollable containers and a gravity feed conveyance system. Inventory items are placed in the rollable containers and are routed to different locations within the materials handling facility along the gravity feed conveyance system, through use of gravitational forces that cause the rollable containers to roll. By using gravity to route inventory items within the materials handling facility, the energy and power requirements for the materials handling facility are reduced, which reduces overhead costs and which is better for the environment.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for an automated materials handling facility. The automated materials handling facility uses a series of automated devices, such as automated guidance vehicles, mobile drive units, robotic arms, automated sorters, etc., to facilitate item receive, stow, pick, shipping and other aspects of materials handling. The automated devices are controlled by a materials handling control system that sends instructions to the various devices to coordinate operation of those devices and to coordinate flow of items through the materials handling system.

Abstract: Inventory systems may include one or more sensors capable of detecting spatial positioning of inventory holders and associated inventory items. Data can be received from a sensor, a boundary corresponding to a face of the inventory holder can be determined from the data, and items projecting across the boundary can be determined as items protruding from the inventory holder.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for an automated materials handling facility. The automated materials handling facility uses a series of automated devices, such as automated guidance vehicles, mobile drive units, robotic arms, automated sorters, etc., to facilitate item receive, stow, pick, shipping and other aspects of materials handling. The automated devices are controlled by a materials handling control system that sends instructions to the various devices to coordinate operation of those devices and to coordinate flow of items through the materials handling system.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for verifying that items have been correctly retrieved to fulfill orders or shipments. A plurality of radio frequency identification (RFID) tags may be energized with an electromagnetic field emitted from an RFID reader, wherein individual ones of the plurality of RFID tags comprise a unique identifier. A signal strength reader may detect a change in a signal strength corresponding to the RFID tag. The RFID reader may then identify the unique identifier of the RFID tag in response to detecting the change in the signal strength corresponding to the RFID tag.