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AmazonGranted patentRobots & automationInterest 5/10

Amazon patents self-fixing conveyor system for warehouse shuttles

Amazon describes a system where small shuttles move items along tracks in a warehouse. If a shuttle fails to drop off an item at the right spot, the system automatically reroutes it to a special station to fix the error before it continues.

Why it mattersThis improves warehouse reliability by automatically correcting delivery mistakes without human intervention.

In the filing’s own words

Systems and methods are disclosed for automated problem solve workflows for shuttle rail systems and related container movement devices. In one embodiment, an example system may include a shuttle and a controller. The controller may be configured to determine that the shuttle has a first item onboard, where the shuttle is configured to deliver the first item to a first location, determine that the first item was not delivered to the first location, and cause the shuttle to be routed to a problem solve station. The controller may be configured to determine a first container at which the shuttle is to unload the first item at the problem solve station, and cause the shuttle to unload the first item at the first container.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. A shuttle rail system comprising: a container matrix; a track; a shuttle configured to deliver items to locations in the container matrix via the track; and a controller configured to: determine a first location in the container matrix for a first item to be delivered by the shuttle; determine that the shuttle is moving to the first location; determine that the first item was not delivered at the first location; cause the shuttle to be automatically routed to a problem solve station via the track; determine, using metadata associated with the first item, that the first item is to be delivered to a first container at the problem solve station; cause the shuttle to unload the first item at the first container; and cause the shuttle to be routed to an induct station to induct a second item.

Facts

Company
Amazon (Amazon Technologies, Inc.)
Official title
Automated problem solve workflows for shuttle rail systems
Patent number
US12729071B1
Application number
18535181
Filed
Dec 11, 2023
Granted
Sep 8, 2026
Inventors
6
Claims
20

Classified under

B65G 43/10 Operations & transportB65G 47/50 Operations & transport
Read the full filing (official PDF) ↗ Open in the Patent Tracker

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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.