Autonomous baggage device

A baggage handling system comprising:

• a server including a database of a plurality of baggage identifiers, the plurality of baggage identifiers including an associated flight and baggage weight;
• and
• a baggage vehicle comprising:
• a plurality of wheels;
• a propulsion unit configured to selectively engage the plurality of wheels to move the baggage vehicle;
• a storage portion, the storage portion including a plurality of storage areas, the plurality of storage areas configured to receive a baggage;
• an exterior conveyor having a first end and a second end, the exterior conveyor configured to convey the baggage from the first end to the second end, the exterior conveyor configured to pivot about a pivotable connection to change an angle of the first end of the exterior conveyor relative to ground;
• a lateral sorter configured to receive the baggage from the second end of the exterior conveyor and adjust a lateral position of the baggage to laterally sort the baggage between the plurality of storage areas, wherein the lateral sorter includes a secondary conveyor connected to a horizontal stage, wherein the horizontal stage is configured to translate the secondary conveyor in a lateral direction;
• a vertical sorter configured to adjust a vertical position of the baggage by adjusting the vertical position of the lateral sorter to vertically sort the baggage between the plurality of storage areas;
• and
• a controller communicatively coupled to the server by a network connection, the controller including one or more processors and memory, wherein the one or more processors are configured to execute a set of program instructions maintained in the memory, wherein the set of program instructions are configured to cause the one or more processors to:
• receive a baggage identifier associated with a baggage;
• provide the baggage identifier to the server by the network connection;
• receive the flight and baggage weight of the baggage associated with the baggage identifier;
• autonomously sort the baggage to the plurality of storage areas;
• and
• autonomously drive the baggage vehicle.

A baggage vehicle comprising:

• a storage portion, the storage portion including a plurality of storage areas, the plurality of storage areas configured to receive a baggage;
• an exterior conveyor having a first end and a second end, the exterior conveyor configured to convey the baggage from the first end to the second end, the exterior conveyor configured to pivot about a pivotable connection to change an angle of the first end of the exterior conveyor relative to ground, wherein the exterior conveyor comprises a telescoping exterior conveyor;
• a lateral sorter configured to receive the baggage from the second end of the exterior conveyor and adjust a lateral position of the baggage to laterally sort the baggage between the plurality of storage areas;
• a vertical sorter configured to adjust a vertical position of the baggage by adjusting a vertical position of the lateral sorter to vertically sort the baggage between the plurality of storage areas, wherein the pivotable connection is between the lateral sorter and the storage portion, wherein the vertical sorter is further connected to the exterior conveyor for adjusting a height of the first end and the second end of the exterior conveyor;
• and
• a controller communicatively coupled to the exterior conveyor, the lateral sorter, and the vertical sorter, the controller including one or more processors and memory, wherein the one or more processors are configured to execute a set of program instructions maintained in the memory, wherein the set of program instructions are configured to cause the one or more processors to:
• receive a baggage identifier associated with the baggage;
• direct the exterior conveyor to convey the baggage from the first end to the second end in response to receiving the baggage identifier;
• direct the vertical sorter to adjust the vertical position of the baggage;
• and
• direct the lateral sorter to adjust the lateral position of the baggage;
• wherein when the height of the second end of the exterior conveyor is adjusted by the vertical sorter, the controller causes the first end of the exterior conveyor to be at a fixed height by telescoping the exterior conveyor and pivoting the exterior conveyor about the pivotable connection.