Abstract:
A method for generating a navigation map of an environment in which a plurality of robots will navigate, includes obtaining an image of the environment defined by a plurality of pixels, each having a cost value. The environment includes an image of a fixed object having a set of pixels corresponding to its location and having a first defined cost value. The method includes obtaining a planned path image for the robots, which include a first set of pixels corresponding to the location of each robot in the environment and a second set of pixels adjacent to the first set of pixels and extending along a planned path of travel toward a destination. The first set of pixels of each robot having the first defined cost value and the second set of pixels having a second defined cost value. The second defined cost value is less than the first defined cost value.
Abstract:
A robot capable of autonomously navigating through a warehouse to execute orders on items at locations in the warehouse with the assistance of the human operators. There is a mobile base unit and a display device associated with the mobile base unit having a display area to allow the human operators to interact with the robot. And, there is a processor configured to display on a first portion of the display area information corresponding to an item on which an operator is to assist the robot execute the order at a first location and to display on a second portion of the display area icons representing other robots within a predetermined area surrounding the first location.
Abstract:
A method for generating a navigation map of an environment in which a plurality of robots will navigate, includes obtaining an image of the environment defined by a plurality of pixels, each having a cost value. The environment includes an image of a fixed object having a set of pixels corresponding to its location and having a first defined cost value. The method includes obtaining a planned path image for the robots, which include a first set of pixels corresponding to the location of each robot in the environment and a second set of pixels adjacent to the first set of pixels and extending along a planned path of travel toward a destination. The first set of pixels of each robot having the first defined cost value and the second set of pixels having a second defined cost value. The second defined cost value is less than the first defined cost value.
Abstract:
A method for grouping a plurality of orders in an order queue of a warehouse management system, each order including one or more items and each item being associated with a physical location in a warehouse. The method includes determining a physical location in the warehouse of each item in the plurality of orders. For each order, the method also includes establishing at least one cluster region, each cluster region including at least one item from the respective order. The method further includes grouping the plurality of orders based on the physical locations of the cluster regions in the warehouse to form at least one order set.
Abstract:
A method for executing an order to perform a plurality of tasks on items at locations throughout a warehouse space using a robot includes receiving an order for the robot to execute a plurality of tasks. The order including for each task, a task type and an item associated with each task. The method also includes navigating the robot to the locations in the warehouse space associated with each item and executing at each location, the task type on the associated item. The task types for the order include picking, placing, and at least one inventory control task.
Abstract:
A method for performing tasks on items located in a space using a robot, the items being located proximate fiducial markers, each fiducial marker having a fiducial identification. The method includes receiving an order to perform a task on at least one item and determining the fiducial identification associated with the at least one item. The method also includes obtaining, using the fiducial identification of the at least one item, a set of coordinates representing a position of the fiducial marker with the determined fiducial identification, in a coordinate system defined by the space. The method further includes navigating the robot to the coordinates of the fiducial marker associated with said determined fiducial identification.
Abstract:
A method for grouping a plurality of orders in an order queue of a warehouse management system, each order including one or more items and each item being associated with a physical location in a warehouse. The method includes determining a physical location in the warehouse of each item in the plurality of orders. For each order, the method also includes establishing at least one cluster region, each cluster region including at least one item from the respective order. The method further includes grouping the plurality of orders based on the physical locations of the cluster regions in the warehouse to form at least one order set.
Abstract:
A robot system includes at least one robot configured to interact with a plurality of operators in a warehouse. The robot has a proximity detector configured to detect the presence of an operator of the plurality of operators when they are within a predetermined distance of the at least one robot. There is a processor configured to retrieve from a memory a set of operator interaction preferences for the operator detected. And, there is a display device configured to allow the at least one robot to interact with the detected operator based on the set of operator interaction preferences of the detected operator.