Abstract: An automated multi-storey warehouse is provided with a first and at least a second module, each having: at least one pick-up/deposit station to allow an operator to retrieve and/or deposit products relative to trays arranged in the station; and a transfer lift assembly having a lift shaft and a pick-up/deposit device, which is movable in the lift shaft and is configured so as to be able to horizontally translate the trays; the second module is a storage module having at least one storage column directly alongside the lift shaft and capable of accommodating respective trays; the pick-up/deposit station of the first module is arranged at a first level, whereas the storage column of the second module is arranged at a second level and is completely above or below the first level; the warehouse has an exchange station, which has at least one place for the temporary depositing of a tray and is accessible by both the pick-up/deposit devices of the first and the second module.

Abstract: Systems and methods to provide environment control to individual containers of a storage system may include a distribution network including one or more sources, distribution lines, valves, sensors, and storage positions. The distribution network may be operated to provide air flow having desired environment attributes to individual storage positions that include supply and/or return lines and associated valves. Insulated containers having input and/or output lines and associated valves may couple to the distribution network upon placement at the storage positions, thereby providing air flow with desired environment attributes to individual insulated containers and associated items. Further, non-insulated containers may also be placed at the storage positions of the storage system without connecting to the distribution network.

Abstract: A refrigerating appliance includes a cabinet having an inner liner that defines at least one aperture for accessing a refrigerating compartment. A door is operably coupled to the cabinet and is operable between open and closed positions. A plurality of storage surfaces is positioned within the refrigerating compartment. Each storage surface is adapted to receive at least one temporarily stored item. A scanning apparatus is adapted to record data related to the storage surfaces and the at least one temporarily stored item. The scanning apparatus conducts first and second data capturing phases. The secondary data recorded during the second data capturing phase is compared against previous data recorded during the first data capturing phase to create a current inventory manifest. The current inventory manifest is compared with a set of predetermined parameters related to the at least one temporarily stored item to selectively provide an output.

Abstract: A processing system for processing objects using a programmable motion device is disclosed. The processing system includes a plurality of supply bins providing supply of a plurality of objects, with the plurality of supply bins being provided with a bin conveyance system, a programmable motion device in communication with the bin conveyance system, where the programmable motion device includes an end effector for grasping and moving a selected object out of a selected supply bin, and a movable carriage for receiving the selected object from the end effector of the programmable motion device, and for carrying the selected object to one of a plurality of destination containers.

Abstract: An intelligent warehousing system, a material fetching and placing method and a processing terminal thereof, where the intelligent warehousing system includes a first warehousing robot and a second warehousing robot, the first warehousing robot is configured to receive a first scheduling instruction, move to a fixed shelf to fetch and place a material box according to the first scheduling instruction, and handle the material box to a first target position; and the second warehousing robot is configured to receive a second scheduling instruction, move to a portable shelf according to the second scheduling instruction, and handle the portable shelf to a second target position. Through the technical solution of the present application, compatibility of the intelligent warehousing system is improved, which may be applied to a warehouse with different shelves, thus improving the utilization rate of the warehouse.

Abstract: A system for providing medication to a customer includes a movable structure with a robotic arm including one or more joints, actuators, and segments, each of which is structured to move a robotic manipulator coupled to an end of the robotic arm. The robotic manipulator is configured to retrieve and release a container containing the medication. The robotic arm further includes a camera and microphone, as well as a computing system that includes at least one processor coupled to a memory storing instructions. When executed by the at least one processor, the memory causes the computing system to capture identifying data regarding a customer; identify the customer based on the identifying data; associate the customer with a medication order; and retrieve.

Abstract: A local device may receive, from a remote device, a task to be completed at a workstation within a logistics center in which orders are fulfilled and processed. The local device may determine, among a plurality of robotic agents at the workstation, a robotic agent configured to perform the task. An in-memory datastore having cache and compute capabilities may be stored in memory of the local device may store data associated with the task and the robotic agent to complete the task. The local device may instruct the robotic agent to perform the task and may receive, from the robotic agent, an indication associated with the performance of the task. This data may be stored in the in-memory datastore and/or may be used for assigning future tasks.

Abstract: A workstation receives bots carrying order totes and bots carrying product totes for transfer of goods from the product totes to the order totes. The workstation comprises a robot for automated transfer of goods between the product and order totes, but may also have a station for an operator to perform manual transfer. Cameras may be provided to capture images of the product and/or order totes to identify contents of totes and to identify positions where goods are to be picked from the product totes and placed into the order totes.

Abstract: There are disclosed method and system (10) for picking of articles (12), in particular flat-pack articles (12), in accordance with picking orders, wherein the system (10) comprises: a rack (24) extending substantially along longitudinal and height directions (X, Y) of the system (10) and comprising a plurality of storage locations (30) configured to store source pallets (30); a gantry robot (36) including a manipulation unit (37) configured to transfer the articles (16); a packing position (62) configured to buffer a target pallet (34); a plurality of conveyors (38); and a control (74), which is preferably configured to determine, for each of the orders, an order-specific packing pattern for automatically packing, by the gantry robot (36), several of the articles (12) in accordance with the respective order from one or more of the source pallets (30) on a target pallet (34) in the packing position (62); wherein each of the conveyors (38) comprises a receiving position (66), which is positioned within the rack

Abstract: A picking station for picking goods has a source container conveyor for automated transporting of source containers, a target container conveyor for automated transporting of target containers and a fully automated robot system. The source container conveyor includes a first removal area, where a first source container is provisioned, and a second removal area, where a second source container is provisioned. The target container conveyor includes a first loading area, where a first target container is provisioned, and a second loading area, where a second target container is provisioned. The robot system includes a robot having a gripping unit configured to remove goods according to different orders from the first source container and/or second source container and place them into the first target container and/or second target container, and a sensor system for capturing the goods in the first and second source containers. A method automatically picks goods.

Abstract: A method for permissioning part manufacturing is provided, the method including associating a first user with a first part manufacturing template, the part manufacturing template defining a first vendor for providing a first part associated with the first part manufacturing template. The method then receives an indication from the first user to assign permissions associated with the first part manufacturing template to a second user. The method then provides the second user with limited access to the first part manufacturing template, such that the second user can order instances of the first part from the first vendor. The method then accepts an order for an instance of the first part placed by the second user and records analytics in a database accessible by the first user related to the order placed by the second user.

Abstract: Deep reinforcement learning may be used for vehicle repositioning on mobility-on-demand platforms. Information may be obtained. The information may include a current location of a vehicle on a ride-sharing platform. A set of paths originated from the current location of the vehicle may be obtained. Each of the set of paths may have a length less than a preset maximum path length. A set of expected cumulative rewards along the set of paths may be obtained based on a trained deep value-network. A best path from the set of paths may be selected based on a heuristic tree search of the set of expected cumulative rewards. A next step along the best path may be recommended as a reposition action for the vehicle.

Abstract: A system for compounding medications. The system includes one or more compounding devices, and a central computer system. The central computer system receives requests, at least some of which require the compounding of one or more medications, and pushes assignments of respective compounding tasks to the one or more compounding devices. The assignments are made based at least in part on records of performance to promote efficient use of compounding resources.

Abstract: Systems, methods, computing platforms, and storage media for dynamically organizing autonomous storage units in a retail control territory are disclosed. Exemplary implementations may identify a plurality of autonomous storage units, wherein each autonomous storage unit is configured to hold one or more inventory items; identify an inventory level for each of the plurality of autonomous storage units; determine a first arrangement for the plurality of autonomous storage units based in part on one or more first factors; organize the plurality of storage units in the first arrangement; identify one or more second factors; determine a second arrangement for at least a portion of the plurality of autonomous storage units based on the one or more second factors; and direct the at least the portion of the plurality of autonomous storage units to organize in the second arrangement.

Abstract: Provided is an electronic apparatus and a method thereof. The method includes identifying pickup item information, identifying at least one storage place corresponding to the pickup item information among a plurality of storage places in the item storage center based on information on or regarding an item group located at each of the plurality of storage places, and providing information on the identified storage place and the pickup item information to a manager terminal, wherein the item group comprises at least one same item corresponding to an item group, and at least a portion of a plurality of item groups comprising a same item are stored in different storage places in the item storage center.

Abstract: Systems and methods for updating an electronic map of a facility are disclosed. The electronic map includes a set of map nodes. Each map node has a stored image data associated with a position within the facility. The method includes collecting image data at a current position of a self-driving material-transport vehicle; searching the electronic map for at least one of a map node associated with the current position and one or more neighboring map nodes within a neighbor threshold to the current position; comparing the collected image data with the stored image data of the at least one of the map node and the one or more neighboring map nodes to determine a dissimilarity level. The electronic map may be updated based at least on the collected image data and the dissimilarity level. The image data represents one or more features observable from the current position.

Abstract: A system is for automatic storage, picking, and packing of items. The system has: an arrangement of shelves for supporting storage boxes; a movable robotic arm, the robotic arm being configured for reaching into and picking an item from a storage box, and for grabbing and moving a storage box; and a camera and control unit, the arrangement of shelves comprises a first sub arrangement of shelves with a first vertical distance between the shelves, and a second sub arrangement of shelves with a second vertical distance between the shelves. The first vertical distance is chosen to allow the robotic arm to reach into and pick an item from said storage boxes. The second vertical distance is chosen so that each storage box must be moved out before the robotic arm can pick an item from the storage box.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and machine-executable coded instruction sets are disclosed for fully- and/or partly automated handling of goods. The disclosure provides improvements in the storage and retrieval of storage and delivery containers in order processing systems.

Abstract: Systems and methods for making and delivering personalized, medically prescribed pharmaceuticals to an individual patient are described. Individual unit doses (IUDs) of medicine may be prepared specific to the individual in need of same, by using a system, which includes a networked control system in combination with manufacturing assemblies specific to the IUDs and delivering the medicine to the patient directly from the manufacturer.

Abstract: A wayfinding application executing on a client device receives a current location of the device within a warehouse and accesses a layout of the warehouse describing locations of items included among an inventory of the warehouse. The application identifies a route from the current location to one or more locations within the warehouse associated with one or more target items, generates augmented reality elements including instructions for navigating the route, and sends the elements to a display area of the device. The application detects a location within the warehouse associated with a target item and determines whether the item is at the location based on an image captured by the device. Upon determining it is not at the location, the application alerts a user of the device to a replacement item by generating an augmented reality element that calls attention to it and sending the element to the display area.

Abstract: A method for executing orders assigned to a plurality of robots operating in a warehouse, including receiving an order with a plurality of items, each item associated with an item location. The method includes defining a plurality of regions and identifying the regions which include at least one item location associated with the order received by the robot. The method also includes determining, from the regions identified, which regions which include at least one operator and assessing criteria relating to a current location of the robot and to the item locations associated with the regions having at least one operator. The method further includes selecting an item location to which the robot is to navigate from a current location based on an assessment of criteria relating to the current location of the robot and to the item locations associated with the regions in which are located at least one operator.

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: A medicine dispenser, including a medicine prescription reader, for reading a medicine prescription including two due times, trays, each for containing medicine doses of one type only, and a robot, for dispensing medicine doses from at the trays to two cells of box according to the reading of the medicine prescription reader, thereby dedicating each of the cells to one of the due times.

Abstract: Provided are a robot-based random warehousing method and apparatus, an electronic device, and a storage medium. In the method, randomly allocated goods position information is acquired, and a shelving robot is controlled according to the goods position information to carry goods to goods position corresponding to the randomly allocated goods position information; a prompt is given to a picker to prompt the picker to take the goods from the shelving robot and place the goods at the goods position, and goods information and goods position information of the goods are synchronized to an unshelving order; and order information of the unshelving order is acquired and a picking robot in the vicinity of the goods position is controlled to move to the goods position to instruct a picker to pick the goods at the goods position and pass the goods to the picking robot.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a goods to operator workstation is provided. The goods to operator workstation include an upper level. The upper level includes an upper level conveyor and one or more upper level container bays configured to receive and present one of the one or more upper level containers. The goods to operator workstation also includes at least one connector panel extending from the upper level. The goods to operator workstation further includes a lower level coupled to the at least one connector panel. The lower level is configured to receive one or more lower level containers. A gap is defined between the upper level and lower level that is sized to allow the one or more lower containers to be placed on the lower level. A method of operating the goods to operator workstation is also included.

Abstract: Rule data sets are received. These rule sets are associated with constraints controlling how records that are associated with the goods are consolidated. These goods are to be received for importing. An estimate score indicative of the risk for inspection for a first set of goods that are to be imported is generated. Based at least in part on the rule data sets and the generated estimate, a plurality of records are consolidated to a single instance for the first set of goods. Based on the consolidating, a user interface is caused to be generated that renders information associated with the consolidating.

Abstract: A method for retrieving content stored in a warehouse, the method may include: maintaining first content in boxes of a lowest shelf of a storage unit of the warehouse, while maintaining in boxes of higher shelves of the storage unit second content that is of less interest than the first content; accessing the boxes of the lowest shelf and providing the boxes to interfacing units, by a first robot; accessing the boxes of the higher shelves and providing the boxes to the interfacing units, by a second robot; wherein the first robot, when positioned at a lower position, is lower than a height of the lowest shelf; and wherein the second robot is higher than the height of the lowest shelf.

Abstract: An intelligent warehousing system, a material fetching and placing method and a processing terminal thereof, where the intelligent warehousing system includes a first warehousing robot and a second warehousing robot, the first warehousing robot is configured to receive a first scheduling instruction, move to a fixed shelf to fetch and place a material box according to the first scheduling instruction, and handle the material box to a first target position; and the second warehousing robot is configured to receive a second scheduling instruction, move to a portable shelf according to the second scheduling instruction, and handle the portable shelf to a second target position. Through the technical solution of the present application, compatibility of the intelligent warehousing system is improved, which may be applied to a warehouse with different shelves, thus improving the utilization rate of the warehouse.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a picking system for a job-related picking of goods in output bins, said picking system comprising a plurality of automated picking cells; comprising a first conveying system for the supply and/or discharge of the supply bins to and/or from the picking cells; and a second conveying system for the supply and/or discharge of the output bins to and/or from the picking cells, and a job management control for working through a plurality of picking jobs by controlling the first and second conveying systems and the plurality of picking cells, wherein at least one first picking cell has different goods handling properties than a second picking cell; and/or in that the job management control uses at least one first picking cell for working through different jobs and/or partial jobs than a second picking cell.

Abstract: There is provided a cargo transport system including: a management device; and a plurality of automated guided vehicles. Each of the automated guided vehicles includes: a movement instruction receiving unit that receives, from the management device, a movement instruction for moving to at least one loading operation place where a loading operation of loading a cargo to be transported into the automated guided vehicle is performed or a specified position near the loading operation place; an information transmitting unit that transmits, to the management device, load information concerning a load state of the cargo loaded into the automated guided vehicle; and a traveling unit that performs automated traveling in accordance with the received movement instruction. The management device includes: a movement instruction management unit that transmits the movement instruction to each of the automated guided vehicles; a load information receiving unit; and a load amount management unit.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments disclosed herein relate to systems and/or methods for distributing advertisements from a central advertisement network to one or more peripheral devices at a location via a local advertisement server. In certain exemplary embodiments, the local advertisement server within a location receives advertisements from the central advertisement network and rebroadcasts them to peripheral devices within that location. Advertising information may be tracked and reported, e.g., for accounting, revenue-sharing, and/or other purposes in certain exemplary embodiments. Thus, in certain exemplary embodiments, the distribution of advertisements is provided to peripherals via a non-web- and non-PC-dependent network. Moreover, in certain exemplary embodiments, reporting and advertising related communications are substantially bi-directional regardless of device type.

Abstract: A containment system and assembly for the automated production of pharmaceutical or biotechnical articles is provided. The containment system has a housing within which there is an inner chamber having at least one through opening. One or more robots are installed in the chamber, which have a manipulating element on the pivotable arms, which can move within a pivot range. One or more process units are installed in the chamber for the production of the articles. The chamber includes a process space for the production of the articles and a tub-shaped base space for anchoring the feet of the robots to the side surfaces inside the base space. The manipulating element functions as a gripping and transportation device for inspecting the articles or article parts and/or for the production of the articles.

Abstract: A robotic item retrieval and transport apparatus includes at least one item retrieval mechanism that is minimally exposed while stored and/or engaged in loading or unloading of objects relative to a deck (e.g., upper surface) thereof. Actuators and at least major portions of one or more movable implements are arranged below the deck. Loading and/or unloading of objects may include lateral sliding, such as by pulling the object while it is supported by an extrinsic support surface. At least substantial portions of an item retrieval mechanism may remain outside a central target area of a deck, to provide a unobstructed or minimally obstructed deck surface for holding objects. The apparatus may be used with at least one movable pallet element. A pallet element and/or a retrievable item may include one or more features detectable by a sensor.

Abstract: A processing system for processing objects using a programmable motion device is disclosed. The processing system includes a plurality of supply bins providing supply of a plurality of objects, with the plurality of supply bins being provided with a bin conveyance system, a programmable motion device in communication with the bin conveyance system, where the programmable motion device includes an end effector for grasping and moving a selected object out of a selected supply bin, and a movable carriage for receiving the selected object from the end effector of the programmable motion device, and for carrying the selected object to one of a plurality of destination containers.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a travel control apparatus includes an area setter configured to set a second area on at least one of a plurality of travel paths provided among a plurality of first areas; and a travel controller configured to control timing of a first mobile body to pass through the second area on a travel route of the first mobile body based on passing sequence information on one of the first areas that is located behind the second area, wherein the passing sequence information defines a sequence in which a plurality of mobile bodies including the first mobile body passes through the first area.

Abstract: Dock management systems including a dock management server communicatively coupled to a mobile computing device are disclosed. The dock management server generates a work assignment based on a first location for an item and a final location for the item, transmits the first work assignment to the mobile computing device, receives a location of the mobile computing device, and associates the location of the mobile computing device with a current location of the item. The work assignment includes instructions to move the item from the first location to a second location. The second location may be a temporary holding area between the first location and the final location. Methods for assigning dock doors to arriving transportation vehicles are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and machine-executable coded instruction sets are disclosed for fully- and/or partly automated handling of goods. The disclosure provides improvements in the storage and retrieval of storage and delivery containers in order processing systems.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and device for determining a driving route of a sorting robot. The method discloses: weighing and scanning on an import platform in response to a sorting robot, and determining a destination of the sorting robot on a sorting map; determining, according to the destination, a target package drop on the sorting map; identifying two dumping points on a route which is perpendicular to an import direction of the import platform among dumping points of the target package drop; respectively calculating the costs of routes from the import platform to the two dumping points; determining the dumping point corresponding to the smaller cost of route to be the target dumping point on the sorting map; determining a preferred package drop route from predetermined package drop routes to be selected from the import platform to the target dumping point; and sending a package drop task including the preferred package drop route to the sorting robot.

Abstract: A method includes arranging, on a robot, a set of suctions cups on an actuator of the robot to allow for removable engagement of the set of suction cups to a container surface. The method further includes initiating movement of the actuator to cause the robot to (1) engage the set of suction cups to the container surface, generating a pressure within at least a subset of the set of suction cups; (2) detect the pressure within the subset of the set of suction cups; (3) connect the subset of the set of suction cups to a set of vacuum pumps to generate a vacuum, resulting in a grip on the container; and (4) move the container on to a platform of the robot to prepare the container for delivery.

Abstract: Disclosed in the present application is an order processing method and device, a server, and a storage medium. The method comprises: acquiring order information of a to-be-processed order, the order information including storage-bin region information and volume information of at least one item indicated by the order; base on the storage-bin region information and the volume information, determining whether the order satisfies following conditions: the at least one item indicated by the order being located within one storage-bin region and the a sum of the volumes of the at least one item being smaller than a volume threshold; and in response to the order satisfying the conditions, determining the order as a to-be-processed order, to generate a to-be-processed order set.

Abstract: A storage, retrieval and processing system for processing objects is disclosed. The storage, retrieval and processing system includes a plurality of storage bins providing storage of a plurality of objects, where the plurality of storage bins is in communication with a bin conveyance system for moving selected storage bins to a storage bin processing location, a programmable motion device in communication with the bin processing location for receiving a selected storage bin from the plurality of bins, where the programmable motion device includes an end effector for grasping and moving a selected object out of a selected storage bin, and a plurality of destination bins in communication with the bin conveyance system for moving a selected destination bin from a destination bin processing location that is proximate the programmable motion device to the plurality of destination bins.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for providing stowing location recommendation, comprising a memory storing instructions and a processor configured to execute the instructions to receive, from a user device associated with a user, a request for a location recommendation for stowing an inbound product, determine a plurality of locations to recommend within a zone, sample, based on a predetermined rule, a number of locations for stowing the inbound product, and display, via the user device, the sampled number of locations to the user for stowing the inbound product. The processor is also configured to receive, from the user device, a selection of a stowing location among the sampled number of locations and modify a database to assign a location identifier associated with the selected stowing location to the inbound product.

Abstract: A carrier includes a body, a sensor, and an output unit. The body has the ability to travel autonomously and includes a holding mechanism for holding a burden. The sensor is provided for the body and detects a situation surrounding the body. The output unit outputs detected information, collected by the sensor, about the situation to a management device that manages operation of another carrier.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for efficiently fulfilling product orders corresponding are described. Order items are divided into those which are to be automatically picked using an automated pick cell including a loader, such as a robotic arm, storage buffers and an apparatus for transferring the automatically picked items onto a robotic cart. The manually picked items are picked by a human picker guided by the robotic cart. The manual pick can occur before or after the automatic pick of items. In some embodiments whether items are to be automatically picked before or after the manual pick portion of an order depends on which ordering will allow for packing of the items corresponding to an order into the least number of receptacles, e.g., totes which are transported by the robotic pick carts.

Abstract: A device having a platform configured to support the food products, a driving system configured to move the device, and a location detector configured to identify the location of the device within the area. A control system is configured to control the driving system based on the location of the device identified by the location detector, where the control system is configured to move the device along a primary path defined between a starting point and an ending point and to one or more fulfilment positions therebetween. The food products are received on the platform when the device moves to the one or more fulfilment positions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a materials handling vehicle configured to navigate along a warehouse environment inventory transit surface, the vehicle including control architecture in communication with a drive mechanism, a materials handling mechanism, a speed zone sensing subsystem configured to provide an indication of whether the vehicle is in a speed zone, and a speed control processor configured to prompt the operator to reduce a vehicle speed of the vehicle to under a speed zone limit when the vehicle speed is approaching or in the speed zone, determine whether the vehicle speed is under the speed zone limit in the speed zone, and apply a speed cap to limit a maximum vehicle speed of the vehicle to a magnitude that is at or below the speed zone limit when the speed control processor has determined that the vehicle speed is under the speed zone limit in the speed zone.

Abstract: In one example embodiment, a computer-implemented method for transporting cargo using smart palettes includes determining receipt of a first cargo onto a platform of a first smart palette at a first distribution hub. The method includes generating one or more signals that control a loading of the first smart palette and the first cargo onto a trailer located at the first distribution hub. The method includes determining a coordination with one or more second smart palettes associated with the trailer to determine a first position inside the trailer for the first smart palette and the first cargo. The method includes generating one or more signals that position the first smart palette and the first cargo at the first position inside the trailer.

Abstract: A system comprising a staging area and a packing area. The staging area may include a plurality of staging bins and a shuttle moveable along the plurality of staging bins. A staging bin of the plurality of staging bins may be configured to selectively retain a component of an order therein. Such staging bin may be configured to selectively release the component to the shuttle. The packing area may include a slide, a scanner, and a wrap seal conveyor. The shuttle may be configured to release the component onto the slide, and the scanner may be operable to scan and verify the component during placement of the component onto the wrap seal conveyor.

Abstract: Systems and methods of controlling material flow can be used to streamline order fulfillment. For example, according to some embodiments described herein, takt times of goods-to-person order picking work cell processes are enhanced to expedite order processing. A goods-to-person order picking process involves moving items for an order directly to a work cell of an operator or an automated system. At order processing work cells, one or more items are transferred from origin containers and placed in shipping containers in accordance with customer orders. Work cell redundancy can be utilized to enhance efficiencies of goods-to-person order picking processes in some cases.

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.