Science Fiction
Dictionary
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
 |
Kiva Robot Shelves Come To You In This Warehouse
Kiva Systems has robotic warehouse shelves that come to the workers, not the other way around. This "out of the box" thinking lets packers put orders in the box twice as fast.
Kiva has already installed their OrderFetch software and robotic shelves in two Staples warehouses; the company has announced that a third warehouse will be installed for retail giant WalMart.
(Kiva Robot Shelves on the move)
The basis of the Kiva Systems robotic warehouse is a short, hardworking orange robot; above it, a set of shelves contain items for shipping.
The Kiva OrderFetch system is aware of which packaging station requires which products. The shelves move themselves around from all over the warehouse, lining up for the packer to pick the necessary items. When the shelves are empty, they shuttle off to a station where human workers can fill them efficiently.
The system is also adaptable; when a particular product becomes popular, it is placed on more shelves and the shelves are kept closer to the packing stations. Also, workers who fill the shelves are instructed to put hot sellers in the middle shelves, where they are easiest to reach.
This system of letting the shelves move, leaving the packers in one place, reminds me of the CirculaFloor smart tile computer interface for gaming. With CirculaFloor, it is the floor tiles that move, letting the gamer stay in one place.
(From CirculaFloor from VRLab University of Tsukuba)
As the gamer walks forward in the game (seen in the 3D goggles), the floor tile that he has just stepped off from zooms around and then positions itself where he will step next. See CirculaFloor - Smart Tile Holodeck? for more information.
Take a look at a cool video of Kiva Systems OrderFetch robot shelves; via MIT Technology Review. See a CirculaFloor video.
Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 11/12/2007)
Follow this kind of news @Technovelgy.| Email | RSS | Blog It | Stumble | del.icio.us | Digg | Reddit |
Would
you like to contribute a story tip?
It's easy:
Get the URL of the story, and the related sf author, and add
it here.
Comment/Join discussion ( 2 )
Related News Stories - (" Robotics ")
Robot Gas Station Attendant Pumps Gas For You
'... he waited for the robotrix attendant to finish fueling up his ship.' - Philip K. Dick, 1974.
SnapBot Robots - You Choose Their Legs And They Choose Their Gaits
It's not really polite to tear the limbs off robots.
Humanoid Robots Building Humanoid Robots
''Pardon me, Struthers,' he broke in suddenly... 'haven't you a section of the factory where only robot labor is employed?'' - Isaac Asimov (1940)
What's The Best Way To Ship And Unpack Humanoid Robots?
'I opened the oblong box, where lay the automatons side by side...' - Elizabeth Bellamy, 1899.
Technovelgy (that's tech-novel-gee!) is devoted to the creative science inventions and ideas of sf authors. Look for the Invention Category that interests you, the Glossary, the Invention Timeline, or see what's New.
Science Fiction
Timeline
1600-1899
1900-1939
1940's 1950's
1960's 1970's
1980's 1990's
2000's 2010's
Current News
Nuclear Plant Restarted To Power AI To Feed Us Dreams
'...Anything was possible in my imaginary environment.'
SpaceX's Starman Tesla Roadster In Space
'Somewhere in space, a chrome and blue automobile raced the green light of Earth.'
Pivotal Blackfly Electric Aircraft Lifts And Hovers
'That explains how it was so easy for me to remain motionless in midair...'
CORLEO Robotic Horse Concept Looks Ready To Ride
Imagine digging your heels in to a steam horse!
Who First Thought Of A Tin Foil Hat?
'We had discovered that metal was relatively impervious to the telepathic effect.'
Warp Drive Tech Back On The Menu
'Detailed plans for the construction of the Gundstetter-Halone warp drive were flowing.'
Huawei Pura X Folding Phattie Phone
Why can't we get more innovative phone configurations?
Sleep Pods At Daxing International Airport
'Do not waste your priceless company on the unappreciative folds of a sleep pod...'
Robot Baristas Learn Their Trade Without Paying Royalties
'...so we've promised him a generous pension from the royalties.'
JAXA Int Ball 2 Coming Right Along As Star Wars Remote
'Hocus-pocus religions and archaic weapons are no substitute for a good blaster at your side.'
Robot Bricklayer Or Passer-By Bricklayer?
'Oscar picked up a trowel. 'I'm the tool for the mortar,' the little trowel squeaked cheerfully.'
Robot Gas Station Attendant Pumps Gas For You
'... he waited for the robotrix attendant to finish fueling up his ship.'
Engineer Creates Crazy Motorized Track Hospital Bed
The Roujin Z system provides care to fully bedridden patients - and then some!
Tiny Flying Robot Weighs Just One Gram
'Aerostat meant anything that hung in the air. This was an easy trick to pull off nowadays.'
Some Ringworld Configurations Are Stable
'The Ringworld had no horizon. There was no line where the land curved away from the sky.'
TRANSFORM Dynamic Furniture Concept Becomes What You Need
'An adjustment panel outside the door would cause it to extrude various appurtenances in memory plastic...'
