Amazon Technologies, Inc.

Kiva Systems, Inc.

Dennis Polic

Peter K Mansfield

Michael Cordell Mountz

Raffaello D'Andrea

Patrick R Dingle

Peter R Wurman

Joseph Romano

Ned Lecky

Michael T Barbehenn

Matthew David Verminski

James Raymond Allard

Andrew E Hoffman

Eryk Brian Nice

David Levy

Peter Martin Hess

Raffaello D'ANDREA

Techniques described herein define a protection system for a multi-zone area where mobile drive units operate autonomously. For example, the protection system may receive sensor data in a particular detection space where the mobile drive units and potentially human operators enter and exit around a robotic arm. The sensor data may identify that an object has entered the detection space around the robotic arm. The sensor data may identify the likelihood of a mobile drive unit entering the area as compared to an operator entering the area. When the object is identified as an operator, any movement of the robotic arm may immediately stop. When the object is identified as the mobile drive unit, protection rules meant to protect the operator may be deactivated so that the mobile drive unit may receive inventory from the robotic arm.

Protection system for multi-zone robotic area

A system for transporting inventory items includes an inventory holder capable of storing inventory items and a mobile drive unit. The mobile drive unit is capable of moving to a first point with the inventory holder at least one of coupled to and supported by the mobile drive unit. The mobile drive unit is additionally capable of determining a location of the inventory holder and calculating a difference between the location of the inventory holder and the first point. The mobile drive unit is then capable of determining whether the difference is greater than a predetermined tolerance. In response to determining that the difference is greater than the predetermined tolerance, the mobile drive unit is also capable of moving to a second point based on the location of the inventory holder, docking with the inventory holder, and moving the mobile drive unit and the inventory holder to the first point.

Method and system for transporting inventory items

Robots or other machines may be used for retrieving errant objects from the floor of an automated warehouse. A system can include one or more reporting methods to alert a central control to the existence and location of an object on the warehouse floor. The central control can establish a safety zone around the object to avoid contact with normal warehouse traffic (e.g., standard warehouse robots). The system can route a cleanup robot to the location to retrieve the object. The system can include a cleanup pod comprising a convertible shelving unit with a robotic arm. The cleanup pod can have a similar form factor as shelving units used for storing inventory in the warehouse, thereby enabling standard warehouse robots to lift and transport the cleanup pod to retrieve an object.

Systems and methods for removing debris from warehouse floors

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.

Arm-detecting overhead sensor for inventory system

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.

Item-detecting overhead sensor for inventory system

Disclosed herein is a human transport device and associated system to transport a user within an active workspace. The human transport device may include a platform to support a user, an enclosure coupled to the platform to surround the user, a drive subsystem to power the human transport device, and a control unit to control the movement of the human transport device in coordination with active mobile drive units moving within the workspace. A system implementing one or more human transport devices may include a management module to direct the movement of the one or more human transport devices and designate one or more areas within the workspace as protected areas. Unauthorized objects may be prohibited from entering the protected areas while the human transport device may be allowed within the protected areas.

System and method for transporting personnel within an active workspace

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Medford, MA, United States of America

Dennis Polic