Route planning for determining routes for container handling vehicles

The method optimizes route planning for container handling vehicles by defining a target area within an automated storage system, enhancing flexibility and reducing collisions by positioning vehicles near expected job locations, addressing inefficiencies in existing algorithms.

JP2026520177APending Publication Date: 2026-06-22AUTOSTORE TECH AS
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
AUTOSTORE TECH AS
Filing Date
2024-01-22
Publication Date
2026-06-22

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing route planning algorithms for container handling vehicles in automated storage and retrieval systems are inadequate when the destination is not a specific grid cell, such as when the target is occupied or the vehicle lacks an active job, leading to inefficiencies and potential collisions.

Method used

A method and system for determining a route for container handling vehicles to a target area defined by connected grid cells, using a central control system to select vehicles and optimize their movement to a target area within a set radius or travel time, allowing vehicles to wait or proceed to a target grid cell within the area.

Benefits of technology

Enhances flexibility and reduces collisions by positioning vehicles near areas where jobs are expected, optimizing routes and reducing computational overhead compared to standard algorithms.

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  • Figure 2026520177000001_ABST
    Figure 2026520177000001_ABST
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Abstract

A method, system, and computer program product for determining a route for container handling vehicles (201, 301, 401) to a target area of ​​a grid system such as a grid rail system (108). The method includes determining that the target area is two or more connected grid cells (510), setting up a task to move container handling vehicles to the target area (520), selecting the container handling vehicles to be moved to the target area (530), searching for and determining the optimal route for the selected container handling vehicles to the target area (540), and instructing the selected container handling vehicles to move to the target area along the determined route (550).
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Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • WO2015193278A1