Inventory system with connectable inventory holders

摘要

An apparatus includes an interface and a processor. The interface is operable to wirelessly transmit instructions to one or more mobile drive units. The processor is communicatively coupled to the interface and is operable to instruct a mobile drive unit to transport a first shipping container storing at least one completed order to a shipping station, instruct the mobile drive unit to connect the first shipping container to a second shipping container to form a group of connected shipping containers. The processor is also operable to detect a trigger event, and in response to detecting the trigger event, coordinate movement of one or more mobile drive units to transport the group of connected shipping containers onto a vehicle for shipment.

主权项

1. A system, comprising:
a mobile drive unit operable to transport one or more of a plurality of inventory holders that store inventory items; and a management module operable to:
instruct the mobile drive unit to transport a first inventory holder to a shipping station;instruct the mobile drive unit to connect the first inventory holder to a second inventory holder at the shipping station to form a group of connected inventory holders, wherein at least the first inventory holder includes a connection module operable to connect the first inventory holder to the second inventory holder in response to a command by the mobile drive unit;detecting that a vehicle is available for shipping the group of connected inventory holders;in response detecting that the vehicle is available, determine to move the group of one or more connected inventory holders onto the vehicle for shipment;instruct the mobile drive unit to move the group of one or more connected inventory holders onto the vehicle for shipment by docking with the first inventory holder and moving the group of one or more inventory holders while docked with the first inventory holder.