Automated storage and retrieval system with integral secured personnel access zones and remote rover shutdown

A transportation system comprises:

• a transportation space including destinations distributed in the transportation space;
• multiple independent automated vehicles configured for free roving through the transportation space to and between the destinations so that the multiple independent automated vehicles are dynamically distributed through the transportation space;
• and
• a control system communicably connected via a remote communication link to each of the multiple independent automated vehicles and having a system controller that addresses each of the multiple independent automated vehicles to different destinations;
• where the control system includes a vehicle accountant controller separate and distinct from the system controller, the vehicle accountant controller being connected via the remote communication link to each of the multiple independent automated vehicles and the vehicle accountant controller is configured
• so that in response to being provided a user located portion of the transportation space the vehicle accountant controller independently and automatically registers a dynamic location of each of at least one independent automated vehicles, of the multiple independent automated vehicles, corresponding to the user located portion of the transportation space,
• to selectably command stopping, via the remote communication link, of only the at least one of the multiple independent automated vehicles at the registered dynamic location, and not other of the multiple independent automated vehicles, and
• effect routing changes of the other of the multiple independent automated vehicles from the user located portion of the transportation space depending on the commanded stop of only the at least one of the independent automated vehicles at the registered dynamic location.

A method comprising:

• providing a transportation space including destinations distributed in the transportation space;
• providing multiple independent automated vehicles configured for free roving through the transportation space to and between the destinations so that the multiple independent automated vehicles are dynamically distributed through the transportation space;
• providing a control system communicably connected via a remote communication link to each of the multiple independent automated vehicles and having a system controller that addresses each of the multiple independent automated vehicle to different destinations and a vehicle accountant controller separate and distinct from the system controller and connected via the remote communication link to each of the multiple independent automated vehicles;
• independently and automatically registering, with the vehicle accountant controller of the control system, a dynamic location of each of at least one selected independent automated vehicles, selected from the multiple independent automated vehicles in the transportation space;
• commanding stopping, via the remote communication link between the vehicle accountant controller and each of the multiple independent automated vehicles, of only the at least one selected independent automated vehicles at the registered location if the registered location corresponds to a user identified portion of the transportation space;
• and
• effecting, with the control system, routing changes of other of the at least one selected independent automated vehicles from the portion of the transportation space depending on the commanded stop of the at least one selected independent automated vehicles.