Amazon Technologies, Inc.

Dragan Pajevic

Peter Thomas Colantonio

Tim Martin

Jude R Jonas

Kevin John Trenholme

Gabriel Hebert

Matthew Anthony Brady

Stephen T Campbell

David William Guerin

Dincer Bozkaya

Oliver Christoph Purwin

Craig Ropi

Timothy G Dietz

Parris S Wellman

Peter K Mansfield

Robert Michael Shydo, Jr

Timothy Joseph Jordan

Kaushal Bharatkumar Mehta

Mark Anthony Messina

Mark Anthony Begley

William Clem

Allan Andrew Katz

Douglas Scott Crow

Timothy Patrick Martin

Seth A Savage

Jennifer Pagani

Stephen E McDonnell

A self-positioning swivel caster may include a swivel mechanism that defines a home position of the caster. The swivel mechanism may include a compression spring, an upper cam, and a lower cam that is coupled to the caster wheel, in which the upper and lower cams include mating surfaces that define the home position. A bias force applied by the compression spring to the upper cam may cause rotation of the lower cam to the home position. When coupled to mobile containers, self-positioning swivel casters in home positions may increase clearance under the mobile containers for robotic drive units or other material handling equipment used to move the mobile containers, and the self-positioning swivel casters in home positions may also prevent drift or rolling of the mobile containers away from current locations.

Self-positioning swivel caster mechanisms

Systems and methods are disclosed for automated container stacking stations. In one embodiment, an example system may include a housing having a first side and a second side, a lifting component configured to lift a first container from a first position to a second position, and to lower the first container from the second position to a third position, such that the first container is stacked on a second container, and a container centering component having a first container engagement member and a second container engagement member, the container centering component configured to align the first container in a predetermined position.

Automated container stacking stations

Autonomous mobile robots having vertical height extension systems for augmented visibility may include a drive mechanism, a lift mechanism, and a vertical height extension including an extension mechanism and a vertical indicator. The vertical height extension may be actively or passively actuated between lowered and raised positions. In addition, the vertical height extension may include a breakaway feature to prevent raising or cause lowering of the vertical indicator in the presence of a payload above the robot. Further, the vertical height extension may include various actuators, emitters, or elements to communicate various attributes of the robot to human associates in proximity, thereby promoting safe, collaborative operations.

Autonomous mobile robots having vertical height extension systems for augmented visibility

A mobile drive unit includes a pivot between the front chassis unit and the rear chassis unit, thereby diminishing the total height of the unit.

Mobile drive unit having a split chassis

Systems and methods are disclosed for foldable containers for manual and robotic use. In one embodiment, an example foldable container may include a first container wall, a second container wall configured to rotate outwards in a first direction with respect to the first container wall, and a bottom container platform configured to rotate outwards in a second direction with respect to the first container wall. The bottom container platform may include an automatic locking mechanism configured to engage with the second container wall when the foldable container is in an unfolded position, where the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. Some embodiments may include a number of wheels. The foldable container may be configured to be transported using (i) the plurality of wheels via manual pushing, and (ii) robotic manipulation to lift and move the foldable container.

Foldable containers for manual and robotic use

A mobile drive unit includes a pivot between the front chassis unit and the rear chassis unit, which both support a support structure that pivotally supports a payload unit. A conveyor is supported by the chassis assembly and located at least at an ergonomic height.

Mobile drive unit having a conveyor module spaced apart from a chassis unit

Method and apparatus for identifying a relative rotation between a rotary unit and a base unit in a drive unit, receiving a command that changes the relative rotation when the command is executed by the drive unit, determining that rotating at least one of the base unit or the rotary unit in a first direction in response to the command results in the relative rotation exceeding a maximum rotation value, and rotating at least one of the base unit or the rotary unit in a second direction opposite the first direction while executing the command. In one example, the drive unit may include cables that transfer power and control signals from the base unit to the rotary unit. Determining whether executing the command results in the relative rotation exceeding the maximum rotation value can ensure the cables are not damaged.

Rotary unit management for a drive unit

Mobile conveyer unit

Motion controls for a mobile drive unit adjust linear acceleration for laden mobile drive units to decrease the likelihood of the payload tipping or bouncing off the mobile drive unit and adjust angular acceleration to reduce the risk of the drive wheels slipping while the casters align with the direction of travel.

Acceleration controls for a mobile drive unit

A self-aligning lens holder includes elements that register against an image sensor chip to align the holder and lens with the chip. The elements may deflect or deform. A corresponding method aligns the lens holder and a fisheye lens to the image sensor.

Self-aligning lens holder and camera assembly

A mobile drive unit includes a turntable and a turntable motor that is located outside of the footprint of the turntable. The motor moves up and down with the turntable such that a motor cover moves up and down with the turntable.

Moveable motor and cover for mobile drive unit turntable

A mobile drive unit includes a pivot between the front chassis unit and the rear chassis unit, which both support a support structure that pivotally supports a payload housing. The mobile drive unit can have a sensor and control system.

Growing community of inventors

Arlington, MA, United States of America

Dragan Pajevic