Robotic restocking and safety systems for automated retail store environments

Abstract

Systems, methods, and software are provided for automated item restocking using gantry robots and establishing safety barriers for retail work operation spaces in retail store environments. Robot controllers in communication with the gantry robots and barrier robots direct the autonomous movements thereof for transferring items between customer-accessible point of sale locations and customer-inaccessible storage, and for alternately restricting and enabling access to work operation spaces, respectively.

Description

[0001] Cross References to Related Applications [0002] This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 378,994, filed April 9, 2019, which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. technical field [0003] The present disclosure relates to automated retail store operations, and more particularly to robotic replenishment and security systems for automated retail store environments. Background technique [0004] Warehouse-style stores typically store products for future use above the aisles and in storage locations out of reach of customers. In at least some of these retail environments, store personnel manually transfer items in storage locations inaccessible to customers as needed, such as in response to customer alerts that an item is out of stock. Operators of warehouse-type stores may use various types of equipment to assist workers in storing and retrieving items from storage locations above aisles that are not accessible to c...

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