Mobile stocker and methods of operation
A mobile stocker described herein is configured to be easily installed and relocated to various locations in a semiconductor fabrication facility. The mobile stocker is capable of being programmed with, and/or autonomously learning, the layout of a semiconductor fabrication facility, and automatically relocating to a new location based on the layout using a navigation system. Accordingly, the mobile stocker is capable of being flexibly relocated in the semiconductor fabrication facility to dynamically support changes in demand and production capacity. Moreover, the capability to quickly assign a location identifier to the mobile stocker and to automatically interface with transport systems in the semiconductor fabrication facility reduces downtime of the mobile stocker, which increases productivity in the semiconductor fabrication facility.
1 . A method, comprising:
determining, by a mobile stocker, a destination location in a facility;
traveling, by the mobile stocker, from an origination location to the destination location;
self-installing, by the mobile stocker, the mobile stocker at the destination location; and
transmitting, by the mobile stocker, a communication indicating that the mobile stocker has arrived at the destination location.
2 . The method of claim 1 , comprising:
receiving an instruction to relocate to the destination location.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein traveling from the original location to the destination location comprises:
traveling from the original location to the destination location via wheels of the mobile stocker.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein traveling from the original location to the destination location comprises:
traveling from the original location to the destination location via a motor of the mobile stocker.
5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the motor is a wheel motor.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein traveling from the original location to the destination location comprises:
traveling from the original location to the destination location using a navigation map of the facility.
7 . The method of claim 6 , further comprising:
determining, using the navigation map, a path of travel to travel the destination location using the navigation map of the facility.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein self-installing the mobile stocker at the destination location comprises:
self-installing the mobile stocker to a floor of the facility at the destination location.
9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein self-installing the mobile stocker to the floor at the destination location comprises:
drilling one or more holes into the floor of the facility; and
causing one or more anchors to be inserted into the one or more holes to secure the mobile stocker to the floor at the destination location.