Invention Grant
- Patent Title: Systems and methods for removing debris from warehouse floors
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Application No.: US14662893Application Date: 2015-03-19
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Publication No.: US09665095B1Publication Date: 2017-05-30
- Inventor: Joseph Romano , Peter R. Wurman , Dennis Polic , Peter K. Mansfield
- Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
- Applicant Address: US WA Seattle
- Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
- Current Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
- Current Assignee Address: US WA Seattle
- Agency: Lee & Hayes, PLLC
- Main IPC: G05D1/00
- IPC: G05D1/00 ; G05D3/00 ; G06F7/00 ; G06F17/00 ; G05D1/02 ; B25J11/00 ; A47L11/24

Abstract:
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.
Information query