Michigan Patent of the Month – September 2023
Cybernet Systems Corp. is an American research and development company focused on advancing human performance in all industries. In the company’s three decades, Cybernet has made significant contributions to the health, productivity and security of America and the world.
Recently, the company has patented a solution set to bring efficiency and speed to warehouses through increased automation. This invention has potential to improve the way we handle materials in various industries, from container yards to e-commerce warehouses and manufacturing facilities.
The automated warehouse system uses a series of robotic forklifts and material handling vehicles. This approach reduces the manual labor associated with material handling. This system is designed to streamline the process of locating, identifying, acquiring, stacking, and transporting inventory items within a facility.
The core of this system involves mobile robotic lift units. These units are configured to receive material handling requests based on detailed map data, including the precise location of material storage areas. Each mobile robotic lift unit comes equipped with a robotically controlled actuator. This actuator is responsible for picking up and placing loads with precision. To navigate through the facility, these units feature on-board global positioning satellite (GPS) geolocation and inertial sensors. These sensors determine the unit’s location relative to material storage areas.
A key aspect is the inclusion of video capture and processing apparatus. This technology ensures unimpeded movement within the facility and material storage areas, allowing the units to execute material handling requests seamlessly. One of the standout features of this invention is its ability to perform tasks with exceptional efficiency and precision. When a mobile robotic lift unit determines its proximity to a location associated with a material handling request, it takes the following steps:
– Load Acquisition: Using video capture and processing, the unit orients its robotically controlled actuator to acquire a load from a designated pick-up location.
– Transportation: GPS or inertial sensors guide the unit as it transports the load to the designated drop-off location.
– Load Placement: Video capture and processing come into play again, ensuring the correct placement of the load at the drop-off location.
This material handling system is highly adaptable. It can be configured for autonomous, semi-autonomous, or manual operation, offering flexibility to suit different operational needs. Moreover, it can detect and identify various elements within the facility, including computer-readable codes like barcodes, features at known locations, aisles, walls, shelving units, doors, and more.
The potential applications of this invention are vast. From warehouses to container yards, this system can significantly improve productivity, reduce operational costs, and enhance safety. Forklifts equipped with this technology can efficiently locate, engage, and manipulate pallets, making loading, unloading, and stacking operations smoother and more precise.
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