Walmart Apollo, LLC

Vikranth Gopalakrishnan

Elias Aljallis

Ronald Kyslinger

Jeremiah Miele

Walter Gunter, Jr

Brooke Anne Benham

Ryan Christopher Greenhill

Haaris Hemani

Among other things, a connection assembly for motion along a rail is disclosed. The connection assembly can include a first plate assembly, a second plate assembly, and a release assembly. The first plate assembly can include a first stop mounted to a first base. The second plate assembly can include a second stop mounted to a second base and a post mounted to the second base. The release assembly can include a rod and a spring. The rod can include an outward extension. The spring can be disposed between the extension and the second stop. The release assembly can be configured to occupy: a first state such that the spring pushes the extension against the first stop and thereby biases the first base away from the second base; and a second state such that the spring pushes the extension against the post.

Systems and methods for transporting containers

Among other things, a vehicle for transporting containers is disclosed. The vehicle can include a base, a rack, and at least one container. The base can include a platform, wheels, and a motor for driving one or more of the wheels. The rack can be mounted to the platform. The rack can include at least one rail. The at least one rail can include a channel defined therein and an end coupling for linking the at least one rail with an external rail. The at least one container can be configured to connect with the at least one rail and include a connection assembly. At least a portion of the connection assembly can be moveably disposed in the channel.

Systems and methods for transporting containers with a vehicle

A rail can include first and transverse channels defined therein. A container can include a rod, a spring, a first plate assembly, and a second plate assembly. The first plate assembly can include a first transverse bearing disposed in the first transverse channel. The second plate assembly can include a second transverse bearing disposed in the second transverse channel. A robotic assembly can include a robotic arm. The robotic arm can include opposing grips defining a grip space therebetween. A processing system including one or more processors can be configured to, via the robotic assembly: align the grip space with the container rod; drive the rod against the spring; allow the spring to relax and thereby separate the first plate assembly from the second plate assembly; position the rod such that the first transverse bearing and the second transverse bearing are simultaneously withdrawn from the first and second transverse channels.

Systems and methods for connecting containers

A rail can include an entry portion, an exit portion, and a middle portion disposed between the entry and exit portions. The middle portion can be lower than the entry and exit portions. The rail can be configured to couple with a container such that the container is movable, along the rail, from the entry portion to the exit portion. A first storage rack can be disposed on a first side of the rail middle portion and a second storage rack can be disposed on an opposing side of the rail middle portion. A processing system can be configured to: receive an order; analyze the order based on an inventory of the first storage rack and the second storage rack; and cause the container to move from the rail entry portion to the rail middle portion based on the analysis.

Systems and methods for filling containers

A vehicle can include a base assembly, a rack assembly, and a processing system. The base assembly can include a platform, a plurality of wheels and a motor for driving at least one of the plurality of wheels. The rack assembly can include a storage shelf connected to the base assembly through a coupling, which includes a bearing assembly enabling the storage shelf to rotate with respect to the platform. The processing system can be configured to communicatively couple with the rack assembly and include one or more processors configured to: determine a location of a target good; cause the storage shelf to move based on the determined location.

Growing community of inventors

North Brunswick, NJ, United States of America

Vikranth Gopalakrishnan