Warehouse Picking Robot Zoning for Shorter Travel Paths

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing logistics systems in warehouses face inefficiencies in order preparation due to significant travel times for both operators and robots, leading to suboptimal performance, especially with the increasing demand for higher speeds and varying warehouse constraints.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for managing a fleet of autonomous mobile robots that dynamically allocate picking and collection zones in real-time, optimizing operator and robot movements based on warehouse data, order data, and operator performance, using a picking manager, order manager, and fleet manager to generate optimal navigation and task assignments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If operators and robots travel to different locations in the warehouse to pick products, then order preparation can be completed, but travel times become significant leading to low performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehourly picking rateVSAvoidtravel time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The warehouse is divided into multiple zones, each assigned to specific operators and robots. This segmentation reduces travel distances by localizing operations within defined areas, thereby improving hourly picking rate while reducing travel time losses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Orders are pre-sorted and assigned to specific zones before picking begins. Products are pre-positioned in optimal locations within zones, and operators and robots are pre-assigned to specific areas. This preliminary organization minimizes travel time during the actual picking process and maximizes productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the warehouse is divided into regions with operators assigned to each region and robots traveling through regions to collect products, then operator performance increases by reducing distance between pickings, but robot paths become relatively significant

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperator performanceVSAvoidrobot path length

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The warehouse is segmented into zones with dedicated operators and robots. Each robot operates within its assigned zone, collecting products from local operators. This segmentation dramatically reduces robot path length compared to robots traveling through entire regions, while operators benefit from localized picking areas that improve their performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12493852B2System and method for managing a plurality of mobile robots for preparing orders for products stored in a warehouse

Publication Date: 2025.12.09 MOVU FRANCE SAS

AI summary

A method for managing a plurality of autonomous mobile robots, referred to as picking robots, for order-picking of products stored in a warehouse having a plurality of product storage spaces, a plurality of areas for stock-picking by a plurality of operators, and a plurality of areas for the collection of products picked by the picking robots. Also provided are a management system and an order-picking method.