Robot assisted direct-to-pack sortation systems
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for robot assisted direct-to-pack sortation. In one embodiment, an example autonomous robot may include one or more forks, and a controller configured to determine that a first container is empty, transport the first container to a pick docking station, retrieve a second container from an induct station, wherein the second container is full, transport the second container to a buffer area, determine that the first container is full, and transport the first container to the buffer area.
1 . A system to sort bulky items, the system comprising:
a first container comprising fencing along three walls, an open fourth wall, and a platform having slots;
an autonomous robot comprising forks configured to engage the slots on the platform of the first container, wherein the autonomous robot is configured to raise and transport the first container; and
a controller configured to:
determine that the first container is empty;
cause the autonomous robot to transport the first container to a pick docking station;
cause the autonomous robot to retrieve a second container from an induct station, wherein the second container is full;
cause the autonomous robot to transport the second container to a buffer area;
cause the autonomous robot to transport the second container to a packing station;
determine that the first container is full;
cause the autonomous robot to retrieve a third container from the buffer area, wherein the third container is empty;
cause the autonomous robot to transport the third container to the pick docking station; and
cause the autonomous robot to transport the first container to the buffer area.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the second container is transported while the first container is being filled.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
determine a time sensitivity metric associated with a fourth container; and
transport the fourth container directly to the packing station while bypassing the buffer area based at least in part on the time sensitivity metric.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the system comprises the pick docking station, the induct station, the buffer area, and the packing station.
5 . An autonomous robot comprising:
memory comprising computer-executable instructions; and
one or more computer processors configured to access the memory and execute the computer-executable instructions to:
determine that a first container is empty;
transport the first container to a pick docking station;
retrieve a second container from an induct station, wherein the second container is full;
transport the second container to a buffer area;
determine that the first container is full; and
transport the first container to the buffer area.
6 . The autonomous robot of claim 5 , wherein the second container is transported while the first container is being filled.
7 . The autonomous robot of claim 5 , wherein the one or more computer processors are further configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to:
determine a time sensitivity metric associated with a third container; and
transport the third container directly to the packing station while bypassing the buffer area based at least in part on the time sensitivity metric.
8 . The autonomous robot of claim 5 , wherein the one or more computer processors are further configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to:
determine that a packing station has an opening; and
transport the second container from the buffer area to the packing station.
9 . The autonomous robot of claim 5 , wherein the one or more computer processors are further configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to:
retrieve a third container from the buffer area, wherein the third container is empty; and
transport the third container to the pick docking station.
10 . The autonomous robot of claim 5 , wherein the autonomous robot comprises one or more forks.
11 . The autonomous robot of claim 10 , wherein the first container is a cage comprising fencing along three walls, an open fourth wall, and a platform having slots configured to receive the one or more forks.
12 . The autonomous robot of claim 5 , wherein the second container is full of items individually weighing at least 20 pounds.
13 . The autonomous robot of claim 5 , wherein the one or more computer processors are further configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to:
coordinate transport of the first container with a fleet of autonomous robots.
14 . A method for transporting bulky items by an autonomous robot, the method comprising:
determining, by a controller, that a first container is empty;
transporting the first container to a pick docking station;
retrieving a second container from an induct station, wherein the second container is full;
transporting the second container to a buffer area;
determining, by the controller, that the first container is full; and
transporting the first container to the buffer area.
15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the second container is transported while the first container is being filled.
16 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising:
determining, by the controller, a time sensitivity metric associated with a fourth container; and
transporting the fourth container directly to the packing station while bypassing the buffer area based at least in part on the time sensitivity metric.
17 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising:
determining, by the controller, that a packing station has an opening; and
transporting the second container from the buffer area to the packing station.
18 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising:
retrieving a third container from the buffer area, wherein the third container is empty; and
transport the third container to the pick docking station.
19 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising:
coordinating, by the controller, transport of the first container with a fleet of autonomous robots.
20 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the first container is a cage comprising fencing along three walls, an open fourth wall, and a platform having slots configured to receive the one or more forks.