System and method for transporting personnel within an active workspace

US9280157B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC. · US

Inventors

• Peter R. Wurman · Acton, US
• Michael T. Barbehenn · North Reading, US
• Matthew David Verminski · Cambridge, US
• Michael C. Mountz · Lexington, US
• Dennis Polic · North Reading, US
• Andrew E. Hoffman · Arlington, US
• James Allard · Newton, US
• Eryk Brian Nice · Medford, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 4, 2013
• Grant date: Mar 8, 2016
• Expiry date: Oct 26, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B65G2207/40
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a human transport device and associated system to transport a user within an active workspace. The human transport device may include a platform to support a user, an enclosure coupled to the platform to surround the user, a drive subsystem to power the human transport device, and a control unit to control the movement of the human transport device in coordination with active mobile drive units moving within the workspace. A system implementing one or more human transport devices may include a management module to direct the movement of the one or more human transport devices and designate one or more areas within the workspace as protected areas. Unauthorized objects may be prohibited from entering the protected areas while the human transport device may be allowed within the protected areas.