Mobile Robots for Automated Order Fulfillment Without Infrastructure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS) in fulfillment centers are expensive, time-consuming to implement, require significant space, and are inflexible, limiting their ability to adapt to changing layouts or scales, and often necessitate dedicated infrastructure and picking stations.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of mobile robots capable of on-the-spot retrieval, picking, and placement of items, which can navigate and operate without specific infrastructure, allowing for quicker deployment, lower costs, and easier scaling, and can accommodate standardized shelving, reducing the need for dedicated picking stations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If conventional ASRS are implemented, then automated retrieval and picking is achieved, but deployment cost and time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the fulfillment center into multiple zones with multiple mobile robots operating independently in each zone, replacing a single large centralized ASRS. Each robot is a self-contained unit that can autonomously perform retrieval, transport, and picking tasks, eliminating the need for expensive infrastructure installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical conveyor systems, rails, and fixed infrastructure of conventional ASRS with autonomous mobile robots equipped with sensors and navigation systems. This substitution eliminates the need for physical infrastructure installation while maintaining automated functionality.
2Extent of automation
If conventional ASRS are implemented, then automated order fulfillment is achieved, but space requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces static, fixed infrastructure with dynamic mobile robots that can move freely throughout the fulfillment center. The robots adapt their paths and positions based on real-time conditions, maximizing space utilization and eliminating the need for dedicated conveyor corridors and fixed picking stations.
Solution Approach 2:
Each mobile robot is designed to perform multiple functions: retrieving items from storage, transporting them to picking locations, and facilitating the picking process. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate specialized infrastructure for each function, reducing overall space requirements.
3Extent of automation
If conventional ASRS are implemented, then automated picking is achieved, but flexibility and adaptability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile robots dynamically adapt their operation based on changing fulfillment center layouts, order requirements, and inventory positions. The system can be easily reconfigured by updating software parameters rather than physically modifying infrastructure, enabling rapid adaptation to changing business needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows flexible adjustment of operational parameters such as robot speed, picking priorities, route planning, and zone configurations through software control. This enables the automated system to adapt to different fulfillment scenarios without physical modifications to the infrastructure.
4Extent of automation
If conventional ASRS are implemented, then automated retrieval is achieved, but modification and relocation become challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into independent mobile robot units that can be individually modified, upgraded, or relocated without affecting other parts of the system. Each robot is a self-contained module that can be replaced or updated independently, simplifying maintenance and adaptation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces permanent mechanical infrastructure with software-controlled mobile robots. Modifications are achieved through software updates rather than physical construction changes, and relocation simply involves moving robots to new positions using their autonomous navigation capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
Conventional automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRSs) are expensive, time consuming to implement, require an appreciable amount of space, and difficult to change after implementation. Accordingly, various mobile robots are described herein that provide on the spot retrieval, picking, and/or placement of items without relying upon any infrastructure to facilitate movement through an environment, thus simplifying deployment and providing a highly scalable solution to automate order fulfillment. In one example, a mobile picker apparatus includes movable platforms to load or unload boxes, a camera assembly to acquire imagery of the items in a box to locate an item for picking, and a picker robot to pick the item from the box and place the item in another box. In another example, a mobile runner apparatus includes a set of movable platforms to load or unload boxes and can be used with a stationary picker apparatus or a picking station.