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US 10,093,526 B2Granted
System and method for maneuvering a mobile drive unit
AssigneeAmazon Technologies, Inc.
InventorRaffaello D'Andrea
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A mobile drive unit is provided for transporting an inventory holder. The mobile drive unit is operable to dock with the inventory holder, move the inventory holder in a first translational direction, and while docked with the inventory holder, selectively rotate the inventory holder while continuing to move in the first translational direction.
Claims16
A mobile drive unit for transporting an inventory holder, the mobile drive unit comprising:
- at least a first actuator that moves the mobile drive unit and the inventory holder in a first translational direction, wherein the mobile drive unit is operable to dock with the inventory holder;
- and
- at least a second actuator that, while the mobile drive unit is docked with the inventory holder, selectively rotates the inventory holder while the mobile drive unit and the inventory holder continue to move in the first translational direction.
An inventory system comprising:
- an inventory holder comprising a plurality of sides, each side configured to store one or more inventory items;
- a mobile drive unit comprising a self-powered robotic device configured to move independently within a workspace and operable to transport the inventory holder;
- a management module operable to transmit wireless information to the mobile drive unit;
- the mobile drive unit operable to:
- receive the wireless information from the management module, the wireless information comprising a first instruction to transport the inventory holder to a remote inventory station and a second instruction to present a selected side of the inventory holder to the inventory station;
- in response to receiving the wireless information, initiate transportation of the inventory holder towards the inventory station in a first translational direction and, while moving towards the inventory station in the first translational direction, performing a rotation maneuver calculated to orient the selected side of the inventory holder towards the inventory station.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.