Robot queueing in order-fulfillment operations

A system for queuing robots destined for a target location, comprising:

• A management system;
• At least first robot and at least one other robot destined for a target location;
• Wherein the management system is configured to communicate with the first robot and the at least one other robot and to:
• determine if the first robot occupies the target location;
• If it is determined that the first robot occupies the target location, determine if the at least one other robot has entered a predefined target zone proximate the target location;
• If it is determined that the the at least one other robot has entered the predefined target zone, assign the at least one other robot to a que location based on an assigned priority.

A robot capable of navigating to predefined locations in an environment containing a plurality of other robots, the robot and the plurality of other robots capable of interacting with a management system, the robot comprising:

• A mobile base;
• A communication device enabling communication between the robot and the management system;
• A processor, responsive to communications with the management system, configured to:
• Navigate the robot to a target location in the environment;
• Determine if at least one of the plurality of other robots occupies the target location;
• If it is determined that at least one of the plurality of other robots occupies the target location, determine if the robot has entered a predefined target zone proximate the target location;
• If it is determined that the robot has entered the predefined target zone, assign the robot to a que location based on an assigned priority.