Abstract: Bin retrieval robots configured to pick or put-away bins within a logistics facility and to transport one or more picked bins. Methods and systems for autonomous picking or put-away of bins within a logistics facility that include the bin retrieval robot(s) are also disclosed. The systems include a remote server and at least one bin retrieval robot, wherein the remote server is configured to communicate with the bin retrieval robot(s) to send and receive picking data, and the bin retrieval robot(s) are configured to autonomously navigate and position within the logistics facility.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improved power supply and use in a battery powered device, such as a mobile manipulation robot, are disclosed. These systems include field replaceable batteries that may be hot-swapped with no robot downtime, methods for automating battery replacement messaging and robot operation when battery power is low, and improved mechanical systems having lower energy requirements, and thus extending the lifetime of the battery operated mobile manipulation robot.

Abstract: High precision end effectors for robots and adapters that provide attachment of the end effectors to a variety of robotic arms are disclosed. The combination provides for harmless break-away of the end effector on collision, and autonomous tool changer capability for mobile robots.

Abstract: A “meet me” model of collaboration among autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and human workers (pickers) to execute picking and putting within a logistics facility. The AMRs include an intelligent platform having an array of indicator elements that illuminate subsets of the indicator elements to indicate tote locations and numbers of items to be received therein. The pickers receive instructions from a central server on a user device that they hold or wear, and the AMRs receive a list of stop locations within the logistics facility. Selection of the picker to provide an item to an AMR as it approaches one of the stop locations may be dynamic as each picker instruction includes a single item type to be delivered to/from an AMR. Moreover, the central server determines timing for sending the instructions to a user device based on a location of the robot designated to collect an item, thus streamlining workflows for each of the AMR and picker.

Abstract: A method and system for autonomous picking or put-away of items, totes, or cases within a logistics facility. The system includes a remote server and at least one manipulation robot. The system may further include at least one transport robot. The remote server is configured to communicate with the various robots to send and receive picking data, and the various robots are configured to autonomously navigate and position themselves within the logistics facility.

Abstract: A method and system for autonomous picking or put-away of items, totes, or cases within a logistics facility. The system includes a remote server and at least one manipulation robot. The system may further include at least one transport robot. The remote server is configured to communicate with the various robots to send and receive picking data, and the various robots are configured to autonomously navigate and position themselves within the logistics facility.

Abstract: A method and system for picking or put-away within a logistics facility. The system includes a central server and at least one mobile manipulation robot. The central server is configured to communicate with the robots to send and receive picking data which includes a unique identification for each item to be picked, a location within the logistics facility of the items to be picked, and a route for the robot to take within the logistics facility. The robots can then autonomously navigate and position themselves within the logistics facility by recognition of landmarks by at least one of a plurality of sensors. The sensors also provide signals related to detection, identification, and location of a item to be picked or put-away, and processors on the robots analyze the sensor information to generate movements of a unique articulated arm and end effector on the robot to pick or put-away the item.

Abstract: Managing supply chain inventory is accomplished by measuring the dimensions and the weight of a product. A plurality of images of the product is obtained. The shape of the outer surface of the product is determined. The center of gravity of the product can be calculated. A product model that includes a three dimensional representation of the shape of a configuration of the product and optionally the center of gravity of the product is generated. The product model is stored in memory for future use.

Abstract: Bin retrieval robots configured to pick or put-away bins within a logistics facility and to transport one or more picked bins. Methods and systems for autonomous picking or put-away of bins within a logistics facility that include the bin retrieval robot(s) are also disclosed. The systems include a remote server and at least one bin retrieval robot, wherein the remote server is configured to communicate with the bin retrieval robot(s) to send and receive picking data, and the bin retrieval robot(s) are configured to autonomously navigate and position within the logistics facility.

Abstract: High precision end effectors for robots and adapters that provide attachment of the end effectors to a variety of robotic arms are disclosed. The combination provides for harmless break-away of the end effector on collision, and autonomous tool changer capability for mobile robots.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improved power supply and use in a battery powered device, such as a mobile manipulation robot, are disclosed. These systems include field replaceable batteries that may be hot-swapped with no robot downtime, methods for automating battery replacement messaging and robot operation when battery power is low, and improved mechanical systems having lower energy requirements, and thus extending the lifetime of the battery operated mobile manipulation robot.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improved power supply and use in a battery powered device, such as a mobile manipulation robot, are disclosed. These systems include field replaceable batteries that may be hot-swapped with no robot downtime, methods for automating battery replacement messaging and robot operation when battery power is low, and improved mechanical systems having lower energy requirements, and thus extending the lifetime of the battery operated mobile manipulation robot.

Abstract: A method and system for piece-picking or piece put-away within a logistics facility. The system includes a central server and at least one mobile manipulation robot. The central server is configured to communicate with the robots to send and receive piece-picking data which includes a unique identification for each piece to be picked, a location within the logistics facility of the pieces to be picked, and a route for the robot to take within the logistics facility. The robots can then autonomously navigate and position themselves within the logistics facility by recognition of landmarks by at least one of a plurality of sensors. The sensors also provide signals related to detection, identification, and location of a piece to be picked or put-away, and processors on the robots analyze the sensor information to generate movements of a unique articulated arm and end effector on the robot to pick or put-away the piece.

Abstract: A method and system for autonomous picking or put-away of items, totes, or cases within a logistics facility. The system includes a remote server and at least one manipulation robot. The system may further include at least one transport robot. The remote server is configured to communicate with the various robots to send and receive picking data, and the various robots are configured to autonomously navigate and position themselves within the logistics facility.

Abstract: A method and system for picking or put-away within a logistics facility. The system includes a central server and at least one mobile manipulation robot. The central server is configured to communicate with the robots to send and receive picking data which includes a unique identification for each item to be picked, a location within the logistics facility of the items to be picked, and a route for the robot to take within the logistics facility. The robots can then autonomously navigate and position themselves within the logistics facility by recognition of landmarks by at least one of a plurality of sensors. The sensors also provide signals related to detection, identification, and location of a item to be picked or put-away, and processors on the robots analyze the sensor information to generate movements of a unique articulated arm and end effector on the robot to pick or put-away the item.

Abstract: Managing supply chain inventory is accomplished by measuring the dimensions and the weight of a product. A plurality of images of the product is obtained. The shape of the outer surface of the product is determined. The center of gravity of the product can be calculated. A product model that includes a three dimensional representation of the shape of a configuration of the product and optionally the center of gravity of the product is generated. The product model is stored in memory for future use.

Abstract: A method and system for piece-picking or piece put-away within a logistics facility. The system includes a central server and at least one mobile manipulation robot. The central server is configured to communicate with the robots to send and receive piece-picking data which includes a unique identification for each piece to be picked, a location within the logistics facility of the pieces to be picked, and a route for the robot to take within the logistics facility. The robots can then autonomously navigate and position themselves within the logistics facility by recognition of landmarks by at least one of a plurality of sensors. The sensors also provide signals related to detection, identification, and location of a piece to be picked or put-away, and processors on the robots analyze the sensor information to generate movements of a unique articulated arm and end effector on the robot to pick or put-away the piece.

Abstract: A system and method for managing supply chain inventory which includes a product model to direct inventory management operations such as piece picking and restocking. The system includes a scanner configured to measure the dimensions and weight of a product, and to obtain a plurality of images of the product. The system further includes a computing device having at least one processor and a memory, and configured to use the measured weight and dimensions, and the plurality of images, to determine any of a shape of the outer surface of the product, a center of gravity of the product, and a three dimensional representation of a shape of a configuration of the product which may be included in the product model. Configurations can include single product, packaged product, and bundled configurations. The product model may be stored in memory or on a remote database for future use.

Abstract: A method and system for piece-picking or piece put-away within a logistics facility. The system includes a central server and at least one mobile manipulation robot. The central server is configured to communicate with the robots to send and receive piece-picking data which includes a unique identification for each piece to be picked, a location within the logistics facility of the pieces to be picked, and a route for the robot to take within the logistics facility. The robots can then autonomously navigate and position themselves within the logistics facility by recognition of landmarks by at least one of a plurality of sensors. The sensors also provide signals related to detection, identification, and location of a piece to be picked or put-away, and processors on the robots analyze the sensor information to generate movements of a unique articulated arm and end effector on the robot to pick or put-away the piece.