System and a method for handling inventory in a nano robotic fulfillment center or a robotic dark store

1 . A system for fulfilling an order in a facility, the system comprising:

a plurality of inventory holders being adapted to receive and store a plurality of inventory items, wherein each of the plurality of inventory holders includes one or more wheels to support the plurality of inventory holders;

a plurality of compartments defined in each of the plurality of inventory holders, the plurality of compartments being supported by a central shaft; and

a mobile drive unit configured to transport the plurality of inventory holders to one or more workstations in the facility, wherein the mobile drive unit comprises a plurality of drive wheels distinct from the one or more wheels of each of the plurality of inventory holders.

2 . The system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the plurality of compartments are at least one of circular-shaped, square shaped, and other polygon-shaped.

3 . The system as claimed in claim 2 , wherein at least one of the plurality of compartments includes partitions that divide the compartment into sectors.

4 . The system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein physical characteristics including height and width of the inventory holders are selectively adjustable.

5 . The system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the facility is at least one of a NRFC (Nano Robotic Fulfillment Center), a RDS (Robotic Dark Store), a warehouse, a commercial space, a parking space, a space intended for utility, or a vacant space.

6 . The system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of inventory holders is a rack.

7 . The system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of compartments of the inventory holders is separated in a vertical direction by a predetermined distance from an adjacent compartment, and wherein at least one of the plurality of compartments is divided in a horizontal direction into more than one sub-compartment.

8 . The system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein a compartment of the plurality of compartments accommodates a cold storage unit, the cold storage unit being adaptable to be transported along with its power source.

9 . The system as claimed in claim 1 , comprising a conveyor for transportation of the inventory items from at least one of an NRFC (Nano Robotic Fulfillment Center) or a RDS (Robotic Dark Store) to a pick-up location through a pick-up deck.

10 . The system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the mobile drive unit is a robotic transport unit, the mobile drive unit comprising:

a housing configured to encase the mobile drive unit;

an electronic circuitry configured to operate the mobile drive unit;

a docking head configured to support and transport the inventory holders;

and

an elevating mechanism actuatable to raise and lower the docking head to engage and disengage the docking head with the inventory holders.

11 . A method for fulfilling an order in a facility, comprising:

docking at least one of a plurality of inventory holders with a plurality of inventory items using a mobile drive unit, wherein the plurality of inventory holders comprise wheels;

transporting the plurality of inventory holders to at least one workstation in the facility by the mobile drive unit using drive wheels of the mobile drive unit, wherein the drive wheels are distinct from the wheels of the plurality of inventory holders; and

transporting processed inventory items from a fulfilment center to a pick-up location through at least one of a pigeonhole rack, and a pick-up deck using a conveyer.

12 . The method as claimed in claim 11 further comprising determining placement of each of the plurality of inventory items in the plurality of inventory holders based on data from a sales history.

13 . The method as claimed in claim 11 further comprising determining placement of each of the plurality of inventory holders proximal to each drop zone in the facility based on data from a sales history.