Summary of Innovation
This innovation is a novel system design that leverages artificial intelligence and advanced software to create a trailer-based mobile warehouse, capable of fitting within an area of 700 square feet. The system is composed of two distinct trailers, each serving a specific function. A picking trailer is equipped with a 6-axis robot for receiving and inducting items into specially designed bins. The picking trailer has dimensions of 35' x 8.5' and features specialized racking configured in three rows. It also houses extendable arm AGV based picking robots, enabling efficient organization of items and accumulation of bins. With dimensions matching the sorting trailer, the kitting trailer uses one or more 6 axis robots on a 24’ long rail system. The kitting trailer is placed adjacent to the picking trailer. The rail system includes motors and controllers to allow the movement of 6 axis robots along the rail. The rail system also incorporates a table parallel to the rail for bins of material that are scheduled to be kitted.
The theory of operation for the system is for extendable arm picking robots to move bins from the picking trailer to the accumulation table of the rail system on the kitting trailer. Artificial intelligence will constantly optimize bin placement by using the extendable arm robots to shuttle bins to and from the racks and between spots on the rail system table. The 6-axis robots will be directed by a warehouse management system to pick products from the bins and place them in one or more packaging stations to form a kit. Product that is small enough to be bagged will be placed in an automatic bagger by the 6-axis robot and dropped on to a conveyor located on the trailer for transport to a collection area on the floor. Items that are too large to be bagged will be placed in a bin on a kitting table that is parallel to the rail. Once the kit is complete an extendable arm picking robot will move the kitted bin to a bin rack located on the floor for transport to a collection area.
Innovation Statement
The Mobile Warehouse System combines artificial intelligence with a custom full featured warehouse management system and advanced fixed arm and AGV robots to provide a full featured warehouse that provides high throughput in a small space with no requirement for direct human intervention.
Applicability
The Mobile Warehouse System has the potential to revolutionize warehouse and logistics operations by providing a compact yet highly functional solution for efficient item storage, sorting, kitting, and preparation for shipment in temporary or permanent locations both indoors and outdoors.
| Posted Date | 1/22/24 |
| Contact | Christie Pierce |
| Contact Email | christie.pierce[at]asbeco.com |
| Category | Best New Innovation |