Abstract: Robotic inventory handlers can include two or more gripping elements connected with a lifting assembly. The gripping elements can be subjected to outward lateral force when in contact with inventory items such that the anisotropically adhesive surface engages an inventory item with an adhesive force. Inventory systems can employ robotic inventory handlers as described to lift and displace inventory items using the adhesive force.

Abstract: Embodiments are described for implementing a mobile inventory transfer station within a workspace of an inventory management system. In embodiments, inventory transfer instructions for moving inventory stored within container holders in a workspace may be received. A portion of container holders within the workspace may be identified based on characteristics associated with the items of the inventory transfer instructions and first information identifying the items stored in the portion of container holders. A mobile container unit and a mobile manipulator unit may be selected based on distances between the units and the identified portion of container holders within the workspace. Instructions may be transmitted to the mobile container unit and mobile manipulator unit for navigating to the identified portion of container holders in the workspace and transferring inventory between a particular container holder and a container associated with the mobile container unit by the mobile manipulator unit.

Abstract: Embodiments are described for implementing a mobile inventory transfer station within a workspace of an inventory management system. In embodiments, inventory transfer instructions for moving inventory stored within container holders in a workspace may be received. A portion of container holders within the workspace may be identified based on characteristics associated with the items of the inventory transfer instructions and first information identifying the items stored in the portion of container holders. A mobile container unit and a mobile manipulator unit may be selected based on distances between the units and the identified portion of container holders within the workspace. Instructions may be transmitted to the mobile container unit and mobile manipulator unit for navigating to the identified portion of container holders in the workspace and transferring inventory between a particular container holder and a container associated with the mobile container unit by the mobile manipulator unit.

Abstract: A mobile drive unit including a docking head assembly is provided. The docking head assembly is configured with a set of actuator assemblies to lift an holder structure and tilt the holder structure in at least one direction. The direction of tilt and an associated angle may be determined based on a location of a center of gravity of the holder structure relative to the mobile drive unit. The direction of tilt and the associated angle may also be determined based on information describing external forces acting on the holder structure.

Abstract: Robotic arms or manipulators can be utilized to grasp inventory items within an inventory system. Information can be obtained about constraints relative to relevant elements of a process of transferring the item from place to place. Examples of such elements may include a grasping location from which an item is to be grasped, a receiving location in which a grasped item is to be placed, or a space between the grasping location and the receiving location. The information about the constraints can be used to select from multiple possible grasping options, such as by eliminating options that conflict with the constraints or preferring options that outperform others given the constraints.

Abstract: Techniques for providing an entity monitoring safety feature in an inventory management system may be described. For example, information that indicates respective locations for a plurality of mobile drive units within an inventory management system may be received. Tracking information may be received from a mobile location unit that is moving within a bounded area around a signal transmitter that is coupled to an entity. The tracking information may include an approximate location of the signal transmitter relative to the mobile location unit. Pathway information may be generated that indicates to the plurality of mobile drive units within the inventory management system to stay outside of a radius distance of the mobile location unit based on the received tracking information. The generated pathway information may be provided to the plurality of mobile drive units to enable safe passage for the entity within the inventory management system.

Abstract: An inventory system includes an inventory holder and an actively balanced mobile drive unit. A control module of the mobile drive unit can receive sensing information about the inventory holder and/or the mobile drive unit and use the sensing information to control a drive module of the mobile drive unit so as to maintain the inventory holder and/or the mobile drive unit within a predetermined deviation amount from an equilibrium state.

Abstract: A mobile drive unit including a docking head assembly is provided. The docking head assembly is configured with two or more actuator assemblies to lift an inventory holder and tilt the inventory holder in two or more directions. The direction of tilt and an associated angle may be determined based on a location of a center of gravity of the inventory holder relative to the mobile drive unit. The direction of tilt and the associated angle may also be determined based on information describing external forces acting on the inventory holder.

Abstract: This invention features devices and methods for analyte processing and detection, and use of such methods, e.g., in the treatment and diagnosis of disease or determining the presence of a pathogen.

Abstract: Robotic arms or manipulators can be utilized to grasp inventory items within an inventory system. Information about an item to be grasped can be detected and/or accessed from one or more databases to determine a grasping strategy for grasping the item with a robotic arm or manipulator. For example, one or more accessed databases can contain information about the item, characteristics of the item, and/or similar items, such as information indicating grasping strategies that have been successful or unsuccessful for such items in the past.

Abstract: Robotic arms may be utilized to grasp inventory items within an inventory system. Information about an inventory item to be grasped can be detected and used to determine a grasping strategy in conjunction with information from a database. Instructions for grasping an inventory item can be generated based on the detected information and the database.

Abstract: A mobile drive unit including a docking head assembly is provided. The docking head assembly is configured with two or more actuator assemblies to lift an inventory holder and tilt the inventory holder in two or more directions. The direction of tilt and an associated angle may be determined based on a location of a center of gravity of the inventory holder relative to the mobile drive unit. The direction of tilt and the associated angle may also be determined based on information describing external forces acting on the inventory holder.

Abstract: Robotic arms may be utilized to grasp inventory items within an inventory system. Information about an inventory item to be grasped can be detected and used to determine a grasping strategy in conjunction with information from a database. Instructions for grasping an inventory item can be generated based on the detected information and the database.

Abstract: Robotic arms may be utilized to grasp inventory items within an inventory system. Information about an inventory item to be grasped can be detected and used to determine a grasping strategy in conjunction with information from a database. Instructions for grasping an inventory item can be generated based on the detected information and the database.

Abstract: Robotic arms or manipulators can be utilized to grasp inventory items within an inventory system. Information about an item to be grasped can be detected and/or accessed from one or more databases to determine a grasping strategy for grasping the item with a robotic arm or manipulator. For example, one or more accessed databases can contain information about the item, characteristics of the item, and/or similar items, such as information indicating grasping strategies that have been successful or unsuccessful for such items in the past.

Abstract: The invention features a portable device for monitoring changes in the rheological state of multiple samples by NMR based measurement. The rheological changes can be, for example, gelation occurring during limulus amoebocyte lysate (LAL) testing for endotoxins or blood coagulation. The inventive method entails organization of individual NMR tubes in a disposable cartridge where the tubes are connected through a top cover, provided with movable actuators to push the reagent in the reagent compartments of the individual chambers to the reaction chambers in a predetermined sequence.

Abstract: This invention features systems and methods for the detection of analytes, and their use in the treatment and diagnosis of disease.

Abstract: This invention features devices and methods for analyte processing and detection, and use of such methods, e.g., in the treatment and diagnosis of disease or determining the presence of a pathogen.