Systems and methods for object guidance and collision avoidance

A method for object guidance and collision avoidance, the method comprising:

• monitoring, via a controller, first location data indicating a location of a portion of a movable crane moving an item- and second location data indicating a location of the item while the movable crane is moving;
• determining, via the controller, based on the first location data and based on the second location data, a first travel path of the movable crane and an intersection region of the first travel path of the movable crane relative to a location of at least one object of a plurality of objects located in a facility in which the movable crane is moving;
• generating a second travel path for the item, wherein the second travel path is selected from among a plurality of travel paths based on a speed criterion associated with the item and a safety criterion associated with the second travel path;
• generating via the controller a matrix including dynamically updated first location data;
• dynamically update the second travel path based on the dynamically updated first location data;
• and
• generating an output signal to an alarm device responsive to at least one of the plurality of objects being within a predetermined proximity of the item.

A smart overhead crane comprising:

• a hook for supporting an object to be moved within a facility, wherein a safety range sensor is coupled to the hook;
• and
• a controller having a receiver for monitoring signals transmitted from the safety range sensor and a plurality of location sensors disposed on a plurality of objects within the facility while the hook is moving, wherein the controller is configured to:
• generate a travel path for the hook to move the object based on location data generated at the plurality of location sensors, wherein the travel path is selected from among a plurality of travel paths based on a speed criterion associated with the object and a safety criterion associated with the travel path;
• generate a second travel path for an item coupled to the hook, wherein the second travel path is dynamically updated based further on third data specific to the item coupled to the hook, and wherein the third data indicates dimensions of the item;
• and
• generate an output signal to an alarm device to provide an alert, when at least one object of the plurality of objects is within a safety range of the hook as determined by the safety range sensor.