Shopping space mapping systems, devices and methods

A method for mapping a shopping space comprising:

• dividing, by a central computer system, the map of the shopping space into a plurality of sections;
• assigning a unique section identifier to each of the plurality of sections in the shopping space;
• associating, in a store map database, a blocked tag with each unique section identifier corresponding to a section of the shopping space inaccessible to a plurality of motorized transport units coupled to the central computer system;
• associating, in the store map database, an accessible tag with each unique section identifier corresponding to a section of the shopping space accessible by at least one of the plurality of motorized transport units;
• for each unique section identifier having an accessible tag, allowing an access restriction setting to be configured for the corresponding section;
• and
• providing navigation instructions to the plurality of motorized transport units based on access restriction settings of each section of the shopping space stored in the store map database.

An apparatus for mapping a shopping space comprising:

• a non-transitory storage medium storing a set of computer readable instructions;
• a control circuit configured to execute the set of computer readable instructions which causes to the control circuit to:
• divide the map of the shopping space into a plurality of sections;
• assign a unique section identifier to each of the plurality of sections in the shopping space;
• associate, in a store map database, a blocked tag with each unique section identifier corresponding to a section of the shopping space inaccessible to a plurality of motorized transport units;
• associate, in the store map database, an accessible tag with each unique section identifier corresponding to a section of the shopping space accessible by at least one of the plurality of motorized transport units;
• for each unique section identifier having an accessible tag, allow an access restriction setting to be configured for the corresponding section;
• and
• provide navigation instructions to the plurality of motorized transport units based on access restriction settings of each section of the shopping space stored in the store map database.