Systems and methods for loading and unloading merchandise using autonomous ground vehicles

A system for the loading and unloading of merchandise using a plurality of autonomous ground vehicles, the system comprising:

• a plurality of autonomous ground vehicles (AGVs) for transferring a merchandise item, each AGV comprising:
• a motorized locomotion system configured to facilitate movement of the AGV;
• a navigational system for guiding the movement of the AGV;
• one or more sensors for determining the AGV's position relative to other objects;
• a conveyor assembly for the movement of the merchandise item from one AGV to another AGV;
• a transceiver configured for wireless communication;
• an AGV control circuit operatively coupled to the motorized locomotion system, the navigational system, the one or more sensors, the conveyor assembly, and the transceiver, the control circuit configured to operate and move the AGV;
• a first, disassembled orientation of the plurality of AGVs in which at least one of the plurality of AGVs is not linked to another AGV;
• a second, assembled orientation of the plurality of AGVs in which the AGVs are linked to one another to define a chain of AGVs extending from an initial starting position for the merchandise item to a final transfer position for the merchandise item;
• a task database containing a transfer specification for the plurality of AGVs, the transfer specification comprising location coordinates for the transfer of the merchandise item, time for the transfer of the merchandise item, capabilities required for the plurality of AGVs, and the required length of the plurality of AGVs in the second orientation;
• a central computer system communicatively coupled to the task database and each AGV control circuit, the central computer system configured to:
• determine that the capabilities of the plurality of AGVs and the length of the plurality of AGVs in the second orientation satisfies the transfer specification;
• and
• instruct each AGV control circuit to move the AGV to the location coordinates at the time for transfer of the merchandise item;
• wherein each AGV control circuit is configured to:
• cause the AGV to move to the location coordinates at the time for transfer of the merchandise item;
• arrange the AGV in a sequential order within the chain of AGVs in the second orientation;
• cause the AGV to orient its conveyor assembly at a predetermined height and inclination;
• cause the AGV to receive the merchandise item on its conveyor assembly from an upstream AGV in the chain when the AGV is not at the initial starting position;
• and
• cause the AGV to transfer the merchandise item on its conveyor assembly to a downstream AGV in the chain when the AGV is not at the final transfer position.