Item retrieval using a robotic drive unit

US9365348B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC. · US

Inventors

• Rishabh Agarwal · Kanchinakote, IN
• Venkataramanan Subramanian · Hyderabad, IN
• Mustafa Mustansir Hussain · Hyderabad, IN
• Ahmed Shareef · Mahe, IN
• Vikas Vishwanatham · Nizamabad, IN

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 12, 2015
• Grant date: Jun 14, 2016
• Expiry date: Mar 12, 2035

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06Q10/087
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Disclosed are various embodiments that may facilitate items being retrieved from a storage location. A robotic drive unit transports a carrier storage unit to be proximate to a target storage unit that comprises a container in which an item is located. The robotic drive unit aligns a receptacle in the carrier storage unit with the container in the target storage unit. The container is transferred from the target storage unit to the carrier storage unit. The robotic drive unit transports the carrier storage unit with the container to a destination.