System and method for autonomous order fulfillment

A system comprising:

• a first tote, in a set of totes, comprising:
• a first receptacle configured to:
• transiently receive a first semi-rigid container;
• support a first sidewall of the first semi-rigid container at an angle, angularly offset from a horizontal plane by a pitch offset;
• and
• support a first base of the first semi-rigid container;
• and
• a first sidewall retainer configured to maintain access to a first interior volume of the first semi-rigid container;
• and
• a mobile robotic system:
• defining a tote seat configured to transiently receive the first tote;
• and
• configured to:
• navigate to a loading zone proximal a dispensing unit, in a set of dispensing units, configured to dispense product units into the first semi-rigid container;
• and
• maneuver the first tote to align the first semi-rigid container to the dispensing unit to receive a first product unit within the first semi-rigid container.

A system comprising:

• a mobile robotic system:
• comprising:
• a mobile platform;
• a receptacle:
• arranged over the mobile platform;
• configured to transiently receive a semi-rigid container;
• and
• comprising:
• a receptacle base configured to support a base of the semi-rigid container;
• and
• receptacle wall:
• extending from the receptacle base;
• and
• configured to support a first sidewall of the semi-rigid container at an angle angularly offset from a horizontal plane by a pitch offset;
• a sidewall retainer configured to retain a second sidewall, opposite the first sidewall, of the semi-rigid container to maintain access to an interior volume of the semi-rigid container;
• and
• an elevator configured to locate the receptacle over a range of vertical positions;
• and
• configured to:
• navigate to a loading zone proximal a dispensing unit, in a set of dispensing units, configured to dispense product units into the semi-rigid container;
• laterally maneuver within the loading zone to align the semi-rigid container to the dispensing unit;
• and
• vertically maneuver the receptacle to locate the semi-rigid container to receive a product unit at a target unoccupied subvolume within the semi-rigid container.